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FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA 



Na LXXl. 



KING LEAR. 

IN FIVE ACTS. 

BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEA^H 

WVTH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CASTS OF CHARAOTfc gfc 
COSTUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, ETC 



New York: 
SAMUEL FRENCH & SON, 

PUBLISHERS, 

38 £. 14th Street, Union Square. 



London : 
SAMUEL FRKNCH 

8^ 



H U 



'x 



^ 






CAST OF CHARACTERS. 



Drury Lane, 1824 

S'ing Lear Mr. Kean. 

Thike Jiurgundy "Mercer. 

Duke of Comtoall... '* Penley. 

Duke of Albany " Thompson. 

Duke of Gloster " Powell. 

Duke of Kent " Terry. 

Edgar " Wallack. 

Edmund •' Young. 

Oswald " Browne. 

Captain of Guard... «' Howell. 

Herald ♦' Reed. 

Pages to Goneril Miss Smith. 

Pages to Regan " Carr. 

Old Man Mr. Gattie. 

Physician "Hughes. 

Edward " Harold. 

Officer " King. 

First Ruffien " Randall. 

Second do *' Atkins. 

Goneril Miss Boyce. 

g egfl^.^ > Mrs. Knight. 

•^ ^»..,^ 2"^'^ ,^, .... « W. West. 
tbe Miss Philips. 



EXITS AND ENTRANCES. 

R. means Ri^ht ; L. Left; R. D. Right Door ; L. D. Left Door 
B. Second Entrance; U. B. Upper Entrance; M. D. Middle Dooi 

RELATIVE POSITIONS. 
R., means Right; L., Left; C, Centre; R. C, Right 9/ Centra 
. C.^Left tf Centra, 



Broadioay, 1848. 


Arck'St, PhiltL 


Mr. Forrest. 


Mr. Booth. 


" Baker. 


« Gallagher. 


" Reynolds. 


" J.Dunn. 


" Kingsley. 


«• R. Johnson. 


" Matthews. 


" Thayer. 


« Vache. 


'• Burton. 


♦* Dvott. 


" Heukins. 


" Fredericks. 


" Marsh. 


" Lester. 


" T. Johnitct* 


" Gallot. 


" Hickman. 


" Lonsdale. 


" Fisher. 


Miss Pullmans. 


Miss Morgan. 


Misses Thompson 


& " Atkins. 


E. Pullmans. 




Mr. Bernard. 


Mr. Jervis. 


" Pope. 


" ElUler. 


*' Thompson. 


« Tellings. 


« Wright. 


" Calladine. 


" Brady. 


»< Worrill. 


Mrs. Abbot. 


Mrs. Hughes. 


" Blake. 


«' M'Lean. 


Miss. F. Wallack. 


" Burke. 


Mrs. Isherwood. 


Miss Sinclair. 



p 



^^eji 



COSTUMES. 

KIN ^ LEAR. — First dress : — Richly embroidered Saxon tunic of rick 

crimson velvet, ditto cap ; flesh-coloured arms, legs, and sandals.— 

Second dress : — Black. 
DUKE OF BURGUNDY. — Yellow Saxon tiuiic, crimson robe and 

cap, flesh-co loured aiTns, legs, and sandals. 
DUKE OF CORNWALL.— Green tunic, scarlet robe and cap, flesh- 

coloured arms, legs, and red sandals. 
DUK£ OF ALBANY — Crimson tunic, brown robe and cap, flesh* 

coloured arms, legs, and sandals. 

DUKE OF GLOSTER.— Brown tunic, blue robe and cap, flesh^o 
loured anus, legs, and sandals. 

DUKE OF KENT Crimson tunic, brown robe and cap, flesh-coloui 

ed arms, legs, and sandals. — Second dress : — Drab-coloured tmiij 
and cap. 

EDGAR. — First dress : — ^White tunic, scarlet robe and cap. Second 
dress : — Green tunic, and robe of coai'se white baize. Third dress : 
Grey tunic and cap. Fourth dress : — Coat of mail, ai'mour, and hel- 
met. 

EDMUND. — Scarlet tunic, blue robe and cap. Second dress : — SteeJ 
chain armour, helmet, and red plume. 

THYSICIAN. — Tunic and robe (all brown), trimmed with black. 

OLD MAN. — Drab-coloured tunic and cap, flesh-coloured arms aid 

legs. 

OSWALD. — White tunic, blue robe and cap, flesh-coloured ai'ms and 

legs. 

CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD.— Scarlet tunic and cap, flesh-coloured 

arms and legs. 
PAGE TO GONERIL.— White tunic, scarlet robe, and white cap. 
PAGE TO REGAN. — Blue tunic scarlet robe, and blue cap. 

GONERIL. — White muslin dress, trimmer! with gold, scarlet cloth 
robe, trimmed with gold, tiai'a for the head, flesh-coloured stockings 
and red sandals. 

REGAN. — White miislin dress, trimmed with silver, and clasped to- 
gether with metal clasps in front, fawn cloth robe, tiara for the head, 
flesh-coloured stockings, and russet sandals. 

CORDELIA. — White kersemere dress and drapery, trimmed with 
scarlet velvet and gold lace, fastened in front with metal clasps, tiara 
for the head, flesh-coloui*ed stockings and sandals. Second dress • 
White muslin dress, grey mantle, trimmed, black ditto, handker- 
chief for the head. Third dress : — White drapery. 

ARANTHE. — Brown cloth dress', clasped together with metal clasps, 
fawn coloured mantle, bound with black. 

ATTENDANTS;- W)iite dress cloth rnbes, flesh-coloured stockings 
and russet sandals. 



f 



EDiTOKlAL INTRODUCTION. 

V «E story on which Shakspeare founded t Uis magnificent tragedy, 
(vai ioii^ familiar to the Bngliah people. The sad story of " Lear and hit 
tQr>^e daughters," had been told in poem, ballad, and in many ruder 
vn yf, but the poet has, doubtless, more particularly availed himself 
D(f the chronicle of the History of the Kings of Britain, translated into 
Latin from the Armorican, or old British language, by Geoffrey of 
Vtonmouth, in the year 1100. This version of the old Brirish chroni- 
cier was rendered into English by Hollinshed, the cotemporary of 
Shakspeare, and to whose historical chronicles the poet was indebted 
for much of the material of those matchless dramas which illusti*ate 
the history of the sovereigns of England. The story of " Lear and 
q^s three daughters," as given, by Kollmshed is nan*ated thus : — 

•*Leir the sonoe of Baldud was admitted ruler ouer the Britaiues, in the yearc ol 
lh« world 3105, at^what time loas reigned in Juda. This Leir was a prince of right 
Qoliie demeanor, gouerning his laud and subjects in great wealth. He made the 
towne of Cacrleir, now caU^d Leicester, which slandeth vpon the riuer of Sore. It 
u written that he had by liis wife three daughters without other issue, whose names 
were Gonoriila, Regan, and Cordeilla, which daughters he greatly loued, especially 
Cordeilla the yoongest farre aboue the two elder. When this Leir, therefore, was 
come to great yeres and began to waxe vnwieldie through age, he thought to vnder 
stand the affections of his daughters towards him, and preferre hir whome he best 
cued, to the succession ouer th«j kingdome. Wherevpon he first asked Gonorriila 
ne eldest, how well she loued him : wlio calling hir gods to record, j)rotested 
diat she loued 'him more than hir owne life, which by riglit and reason should b« 
most deere vnto hir. With which answer the father being well pleased, turned to the 
Jiecond. and demanded of hir how well she loued him; who answered (confirming hir 
•aiengs with great othes) that she loued him more than toong could expresse, and 
farre aboue all other creatures of the world.' 

" Then called he his yoongest daughter Cordeilla before him and asked of hi 
what account she made of him, vnto whome she made this answer as folio weth 
• Knowing the great loue and fatherlie zeale that ycu haue alwaies borne toward; 
rae (for the which I male not answere you otherwise than I thinke, and as my con 
science leadeth me) I protest vnto you, that I haue loued you euer, and will contiun* 
allie (while I line) loue you as ray naturall father. And if you would more vnder- 
stand of the loue that I beare you, ascertaine your selfe, that so much as you haue 
BO much you are woorth. and so much I loue you, and no more. The father beinj? 
nothing content with this answer, married his two eldest daughters, the one vnto 
ilenniuus the duke of Cornewall, and the other vnto Maglanus the duke of Albania, 
b«».tvvixt whome he willed and ordeined that his land should be diuided after his 
death, and tlie one half thereof immediatlie should be assigned to them iu hand : but 
for the third <laughter Cordeilla he reserued nothing.' 

" Neuriheless it fortuned that one of the princes of Gallia (nhich is row called 
France) whose name was Aganippus, hearing of the beautie, womanhcod, and good 
ronditiotis of the said Cordeilla, desired to haue her in marriage, aud sent ouer to hir 
fatUer, requiring that he might haue hir to wife : to whome answer was made, that he 
OJig^bt haue his daughter, but as for any dower he could haue none, for all was^rook^ed 
»nd assured to hir o her sisters alreadie. Aganippus notwitkstanding this aaswer 
•f ('«aiaU to receiue aitie thing by war of dower widi Cordeilla, tooke hir ta wtA^ 



IV EDITORIAL ^NTRODICTK N 

only moued tnereto (I s^aie) for respect of hir person and amiabic verlU'iS, TJr.ii 
Agauippus was one of the twelue kings that ruled Gallia in those daies, as in the 
British historie it is recorded. But to proceed 

•* After that Leir was fallen into age, the two dukes that had married his two 
eldest daughters, thinking it long yer the gouerment of the land did come to their 
hands, arose against him in armour, and reft from liim the gouernance of the land, 
vpon conditions to be continued for terme of life: by the which he was put to Lif 
poition. that is, to line after a rate assigned to him for the maintenance of his estate 
which in processe of time was diminished as well by Maglanus as by Henninus. But 
the greatest griefe that Leir tooke, was to see the unkiidnessof his daughters, which 
»^3med to thinke that ali was too much which their father had, the same being neuer 
to little : in so much that going from one to the other, he was brought that miaerie, 
that scarslie they would allow him one seruant to wait vpon him. 

** In the end, sucii was the vnkindnesse,or (as 1 male sale) the vnnaturalness which 
he found in his two daughters, notwitiistanding their faire and pleasant words vttered 
in time past, that being constreined of necessitie, he fled the land, and sailed into 
Gallia, there to seeke some comfort of his yongest daughLer Cordeilla, whom before 
time he haled. The ladie Co;deilla hearing that he was ajiiued in poor estate, she 
first sent him priuilie a certenie sumnie ol monie to apparell himselfe withall, and to 
reteine a certeine number of seruants that miglit attend vpon iiim in honourable 
wise, as apperteined to the estate which he had borne: and tiien so accompanied, 
she appointed him to come to the court, which he did, and was so ioifullie, honoura- 
blie, and louinglie recieued, both by his sonne in law Aganippus, and also by hi* 
daughter Cordeilla, that his hart was greatlie comforted : for he was no lesse hon- 
oured, than if he had beene king of the whole countrie himselfe. 

"Now when he had informed his sonne in law and his daughter in what sort ho 
nad beene vsed by his other daughters, Aganippus caused a mightie armie to be put 
in a readinesse, and likewise a great nauie of ships to be rigged, to passe ouer into 
Britaine with Leir his father in law, to see him againe restored to his kingdome. It 
was accorded, that Cordeilla should also go with him to take possession of the land, 
the which he promised to leave vnto hir, as the righfull inheritour after his decesse, 
notwi:hstanding any former grant made to hir sisters or to their husbands in anio 
manor of v/ise. 

" Hererpon, when this armie and nauie of ships were readie, Leir and his daughter 
Cordeilla with hir husband to(>k the sea, and arriuing in Britaine, fought their ene- 
mies, and discomfited them in battel, in the which Maglaiius and Henninus were 
slaine: and then was Leir restored to his kingdome, which he ruled after this l)y the 
spac<> of two yeeres, and then died, fortie yeeres after he first began to reigne. His 
bodie was buried at Leicester in a vaut vnder the channell of the finer of Sore be- 
neath the towne. 

"Cordeilla the yoongesi daughter of Leir was admitted Q.. and supreme gouer- 
nesse of Britaine, in the yeere of the world 3155, before the bylding of Rome 54, 
Vzia then reigning in luda, and leroboam ouer Israeli. This Cordeilla after hir 
ther's decease, ruled the land of Britaine right worthilie during the space of fiu6 
eres, in which mean time hir husband died, and then about the end of those fine 
eres, hir twonephewes Margan and Cunedag, sonnes to hir aforesaid sisters, dis- 
nning to be vnder the gouerment of a woman, leuied warre against hir, and de- 
'.roied a great part of the land, and finallie tooke hir prisoner, and laid hir fast in 
^ard, wherewitli she tooke such griefe, being a woman of manlie courage, and de- 
tpairing to recouer libertie, there she slue herselfe, when she had reigned (as before 
mentioned) the tearmo of fiue yeeres.' 

Shakspeare has left the mam incidents of this fabulous tradition pre- 
cisely as he found it, with all the features characteristical of the sini 
plicity of the olden times ; introducing, however, a double plot of 
Gloster and his sons, which he derived from another source. The ad. 
dition, however, is most ingeniously worked up to add to the effect 
of the main purpose of the play. Lear has thus companions in his 
misery -he Ife a-i\%ring from his daughters, Edgar from his fathei- : 
and the poetical justice vjif the play is equally dealt out to both offen- 
ders There are few of Shal^s^eare's plays that have undergone more 



EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION. f 

mutilation in adapting them for stage representation tbaJt this tragedy 
of Lear. At the early part of the 17th centuiy and the beginning ol 
18th, Shakspt3are in his original dress had lost his influence over the 
minds of the play-goers — it was deemed expedient by the managers 
of that penod to adapt, revise, and in many instances, entirely re-con- 
struct the leading plays of the great Bard, and in this shape only, 
were they rendered endurable to the audiences of those times- 
Hence, we have Tate*s version of Lear, Cibber^s Richard III., and 
Dryden's Tempest. All of which have kept possession of the stago 
aatil the present day. 

The Mod£»n Standamd Drama, being a faithful transcript of plays 
as they are acted, we have necessai'ily taken Tate*s alteration as our 
text book. Although it may be proper to state that the good taste of 
several leading representatives of the character of Lear, have deviated 
from his generally adopted version, and have restored, in modified 
forms, the original text of Shakspeare. The elder Kean when he re- 
vived Lear, immediately after the death of George III., during the 
latter part of whose reign this play was suppressed by authority, re- 
stored the original catastrophe of the ti'agedy, and tlie play closed- 
with the death of Lear and Cordelia. Mr. Forrest has judiciously 
followed the example of his predecessor, and Mr. Macready, with 
that scholastic taste which so eminently distinguishes him, has gone 
further than either of his cotemporaries, for he has restored the entire 
original, excepting some necessary curtailments, rendered indispensa 
\fie to meet the taste of modern audiences. 

To add anything to the mass of critical analysis bestowed on this 
tragedy, seems to be a useless, and almost an impossible task 
*' Lear " stands almost alone in its towei-ing sublimity, as the most 
perfect display of passion, and of ** deep, ethical reflection." Written 
when the author had arrived at the fullest developement of his won- 
derful powers, it combines all the depth of his contemplative mind, 
and the most perfect display of his rich stores of bold and impassioned 
language. It has been well said of this play that the story exhauslj 
compassion. The characters do not act, they sufler, Calamities stiflo 
them at once ; they are stripped of all external advantages at a blow, 
and are given up a prey to utter helplessness. Lear^ childless imbo^ 
cility is changed at once to helpless insanity. Cast off by his heart 
less daughters, he becomes a wandering beggar, with nothing left to 
him but the power of loving and suffering beyond measure. Ed^ar 
is rendered, by unmerited misfortune, a fitting companion fo" ^^ 
liapless old king, and the joint picttire is one of unapproar^ 



n 



Yl EDITORIAI. INTRODDCTIOW. 



c'-luess, pathos, and power. The suffering Cordelia^ with ner we man. 
^y dignity and filial love, and the touching fidelity of the ** poorfool/^ 
—the sterner integrity of Old Kent, — and the retributive calamities of 
Gloster — all conspire to fcrna a tragedy which finds no equal in 
modern times. 

The character of Lear has called forth the histrionic powers of our 
gi'eatest tragedians. Garrick owes much of his transcendant fame to 
his personation of this part. John Kemble long held possession of th* 
character undisputed and alone, until Kean burst on the theatrical 
horizon like a meteor, and disputed the palm with the classic Kemble 
in this, as well as in many other characters long held to be the exclu- 
sive property of The Kemble ! Booth*s Lear is, in all its essentials, 
a close resemblance of Kean^s. Macready, too, has added materially 
to his well-earned fame, by his beautiful delineation of this celebrated 
character. In this country, Mr. Forrest, the eminent native tragedian, 
P who is not only the first American actor of the day, but has also 
founded what may be denominated a national school of acting, has 
acquired a reputation in both hemispheres, for his able personification 
of Lear, It is indeed a powerful embodiment of the part, combining 
all the characteristics peculiar to this great actor, and presenting alrio, 
the results of close and discriminating reflection. Mr. Hackett, whuse 
versatility is almost unbounded, has ventured upon an embodiment ot 
Lear, with a conception original and ingenious, which met with tlifl 
approbation and erid^isement of many sound critics aitd admirers of 
3ar great bard. 

H 



KING L E A. R . 



ACT I. 

Scene J^^^An Ante-chamber in King Lear*s Palaces 
Enter Edmund, r. 

Edm, (c.) Thou, Nature, ait my goddess ; to thy laff 
M f services are hound : why am I then 
Deprived of a son's right, because I came not 
In the dull road that custom has prescribed? 
W^y bastard I Wherefore base ? when I can boast 
A mind as gen'rous, and a shape as true. 
As honest madam's issue ? Why are we 
Held base, who in the lusty stealth of Nature 
Take, fiercer qualities than what compound 
The scanted births of the stale marriage-bed I 
Well, then, legitimate Edgar, to thy right 
0/ la*v I will oppose a bastard's cunning. 
Oar father's love is to the bastard Edmund 
Ad to legitimate Edgar; with success 
V\G practised yet on both their easy natures. 
Here comes the old man, chafed with the information 
Which last I forged against my brother Edgar: 
A tale so plausible, so boldly uttered, 
And heightened by such lucky accidents, 
That now the slightest circumstance confiiTns him, 
And base-bom Edmund, spite of law, inherits. (lu) 

Enter Gloster and Kent, l. 

Glos, Nay, good my lord, your charity 
'J ershoots itself, to plead in his behalf; 
You are yourself a father, and may feel 
The sting of disobedience from a son 
First born and best-beloved. — Oh, villain Edgar \ 



10 KING LEAR. ^Ac 4 

Kent, (l ) Be not too rash ; all may be forgery, 
And time yet clear the duty of your sen. 

Glos, (c.) Plead with the seas, and reason down the 
winds, 
Yet shalt thou ne'er convince me ; 1 have seen 
His foul designs through all a father's fondness. 

Bdm, [Aside.] It works as I could wish ; I'll show my 
self. [Advances, 

Glos, Ha, [Crosses to Edmund, r.] Edmund ! welcome 
boy. — Oh, Kent ! see here 
Inverted nature, Gloster's shame and glory : 
This bye-born, the wild sally of my youth, 
Pursues me with all filial offices ; 

Whilst Edgar, begged of heaven, and born in honour. 
Draws plagues upon my head, that urge me still 
To curse in age the pleasure of my youth. 
Nay, weep not, Edmund, for thy brother's crimes. 
Oh, gen'rous boy ! thou shar'st but half his blood. 
Yet lov'st beyond the kindness of a brother: 
But I'll reward thy virtue.. Follow me. 
My lord, you wait the king, who comes resolved 
To quit the toils of empire, and divide 
His realms amongst his daughters. Heaven succeed *t f 
But much I fear the change. 

Kent. I gneve to see him 
With such wild starts of passion hourly seized, 
As render majesty beneath itself 

Glos, Alas 1 'tis the infirmity of his age : 
Yet has his temper ever been unfixt, 
Chorric, and sudden. 

[Flourish of Trumpets and Drums, r. 
Hark, they approach. [Flourish, — Exeunt^ k 

Enter Cordelia^ l., Edgar following, 

Edg, Cordelia, royal fair, turn yet once more, 
And ere successful Burgundy receive 
The treasure of thy beauties from the king, 
Ere happy Burgundy forever fold thee, 
Cast back one pitying look on wretched Edgar. 

L Cor, Alas ! what would the wretched Edgar with 

I The more unfortunate Cordelia ? 



V 



ftciWElI.) KING LEAflr 11 

Flies from her* Edgar's arms to Burgundy's. 

[Flourish continues till the S:ene changes. — Exeunt 
Cordelia, r., Edgar y l. 

Scene II. — A Room of State in the Palace, — Flcurish of 
Drums and Trumpets^ r. 

King Lear seated upon his Throne, Albany, Cornwall 
Burgundy, Kent, Gloster, Goneril, Regan, Corde 
LiA, Captain of the Guard, three Knights, two Pages 
two Gentlemen with the Map, two Gentlemen with iht 
Crown, Physicians, Heralds, Banners and Guards 
Lords, Ladies, Sfc, Sfc., discovered, 

Lear, (c.) Attend, my lords of Albany and ComwaU, 
With princely Burgundy. 

Alb. (l. c.) We do, my liege. 

Lear, Give me the map. 

[ The Gentleman who holds the Map, L., advances a lit* 
tie, and unrolls it. 
Know, lords, we have divided 
In three our kingdom, having now resolved 
To disengage from our long toil of state. 
Conferring all upon your younger years. 
You, Burgundy, Cornwall, and Albany, 
Long in our court have made your amorous sojourn, 
And now are to be answered. Tell me, my daughters, 
Which of you loves us most, that we may place 
Our largest bounty with the largest merit. 
Goneril, our eldest born, speak first. 

Gon, (r. c.) Sir, I. do love you more than words cac 
utter. 
Beyond what can be valued rich or rare ; 
Nor liberty, nor sight, health, fame, or beauty, 
Are half so dear ; my life for you were vile; 
As much as child can love the best of fathers. 

Lear, Of all these bounds, e'en from this line to this. 
With shady forests, and wide skirted meads. 
We make thee, lady ; to thine and Albany's issue 
Be this perpetual. — What says our second daughter, 
Regan, wife to Cornwall ? 

Reg, (r. c.) My sister, sir, in part exprest my love; 
For such as hers, is mine, though more extended : 



12 KJN0 LEAR, tAcT : 

Sense has r-o othor joy that I can relish 
I have my all in my dear liege's love. 

Lear, Therefore, to thee and thine hereditary. 
Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom. 

Cor. (r.) [Aside,] Now comes my trial. How am I 
distrest, 
That must with cold speech tempt the choFric king 
Rather to leave me dowerless, than condemn me 
To Burgundy's embraces ! 

[ Whilst Cordelia is sveakmg, Lear^ assisted hy Ken', 
and Gloster, descends from the Throne, and conns 
forioardy c,—Kent goes before Burgundy^ l., and 
Gloster remains at hearts r., a little behind him. 

Lear, Speak now, our last, not least in our dear love- 
So ends my task of state — Cordelia, speak ; 
What canst thou say to win a richer third, 
Than what thy sisters gained ? 

Cor, [Aside.] Now must my love, in words, fall short \A 
theirs, 
As much as it exceeds in truth. — Nothing, my lord. 

Lear. Nothing? 

Cor. Nothing. 

Lear, Nothing can come of nothing : speak agaiii. 

Cor, Unhappy am I that I can't dissemble : 
Sir, as I ought, 1 love your majesty, 
No more, nor less. 

Lear. Take heed, Cordelia, 
Thy fortunes are at stake; think better on't, 
And mend thy speech a little. 

Cor, (r.) Oh, my Yiege ! 
i^ou gave me being, bred me, dearly loved me 
And I return my duty as I ought, 
Obey you, love you, and most honour you. 
Why have my sisters husbands, if they love ycu alii 
Haply, when 1 shall wed, the lord whose 1 and 
Shall take my plight, will caiTy half my Ic ve ; 
For I shall never many like my sisters, 
To love my father all. 

Lear, (c.) And goes thy heart with this ? 
'Tis said that I am chorric. Judge me, gods. 
Is there not cause ? Now, minion, I perceive 
The truth of what has been suggested to us. 



ScEWElI. KFNG LEAR 13 

Thy fondness for the rebel son of Gloster.— 
And oh ! take heed, rash girl, lest we comply 
With thy fond wishes, which thou wilt too late 
Repent; for know, our nature cannot brook 
A child so young, and so ungentle. 

Cor, So young, my lord, and time. 

Lear. Thy truth, then, be thy dower: 
For, by the sacred Sun, and solemn Night 
I here disclaim all my paternal care, 
And from this minute hold thee as a stranger 
Both to my blood and favour. 

Kent, (l.) This is frenzy ! 
Consider, good my liege — 

Lear, Peace, Kent ! 
Come not between a drao^on and his rao^e. 
r loved her most, and in her tender tinist 
Designed to have bestowed mine age at ease. 
So be my grave my peace, as here I give 
My heart from her, and with it all my wealth ! 

[ The Gentleman who holds the Crown advances from 
R. to R. c. 
My lords of Cornwall and of Albany, 
I do invest you jointly with full right 
In this fair third, Cordelia's foifeit dower. 
Mark me, my lords, observe our last resolve : 
Ourself, attended by an hundred knights, 
Will make abode with you in monthly course ; 
The name alone of king remain with me, 
Yours be the execution and revenues. 
This is our final will ; and, to confirm it. 
This coronet part between you. 

Kent. [Kneels,] Royal Lear, 
Whom I have ever honoured as my king, 
Loved as my father, as my master followed. 
And, as my patron, thought on in my prayers — 

Lear, Away ! the bow is bent, make from the shaft 

Kent, [Rises,] No, let it fall, and drench within my 
heart : 
Be Kent unmannerly when Lear « mad; 
Thy youngest daughter — 

Leay On thy life, no more ! 

Krn* What wilt thou do, old man ? 



14 KhXG LEAR. [Act I. 

Lear, Out of my sight. 
Kent See better first. 
Lear, Now, by the gods — 

Kent, Now, by the gods, rash king, thou sw e ai'st \a vain \ 
[Lear attempting to draw his sword^ «> prevented hy 
Albany and Gloster, who advance and stay hts 
arms, 
Lear. Ha, traitor ! 
Kent, Do, kill thy physician, Lear ; 
Strike through my throat ; yet with my latest breath 
I'll thunder in thine ear my just complaint, 
And tell thee to thy face that thou dost ill. 

Lear. Hear me, rash man, on thine allegiance hear me ! 
[Sheathes his sword, — Albany and Gloster retire to 
their former places. 
Since thou hast striven to make us break our vow, 
And pressed between our sentence and our power, 
Which nor our nature nor our place can bear, 
We banish thee forever from our sight 
And kingdom : If, when three days are expired, 
Thy hated trunk be found in our dominions, 
That moment is thy death. — Awav I 

[Tvrns Jrom Kent, and confers with Goneril, Regan; 
Albany, and Cornwall, 
Kent, (l.) Why, fare thee well, king ; since thou ait 
resolved, 
1 take thee at thy word : I will not stay 
To see thy fall. The gods protect thee, maid. 
That truly thinks, and hast most justly said. 
Thus to new climates my old trunk I bear; 
Friendship lives hence, and banishment is here. [Exit, i 

Lear, Now, Burgundy, you see her price is fall'n ; 
Ye':, if the fondness of your passion still 
Affect her as she stands, dow'rless, and lost 
In our esteem, she's yours ; take her, or leave her. 

Bur, Pardon me, royal Lear : I but demand 
The dower yourself proposed, and here I take 
Cordelia by the hand, Duchess of Burgundy. 

Lear, Then leave her, sir; :br, by a father's rag a, 
I tell you all her wealth. 

[Cordelia throws herself at I^ear's feeU 
Away! Av/ay! Away! 

f Flourish of Trumpets. — Exeunt all hut Cordelia^ L. 



StetcII.J Ki^G LEAR. 15 

Enter Edgar, r. u. e., and raises Cordelia. 

Edg. ic.) Has Heaven then weighed the merit of my 
love, 
Or is it the raving of a sickly thought ? 
Could Burgundy forego so rich a pnze, 
And leave her to despairing Edgar's arms? 

[Raises Cordelia^ U 
Smile, Pnncess, and convince me ; for, as yet, 
I doubt, and dare not trust my dazzling joy. 

Cor, Some comfort yet, that 'twas no vicious blot 
That has deprived me of a father's grace; 
But merely want of that, that makes me rich 
In wanting it : a smooth professing tongue. 
Oh, sisters ! I am loth to call your fault 
As it deserves ; but use our father well, 
And wronged Cordelia never shall repine. 

Edg. Oh, heav'nly maid! thou art thyself thy dcw'r. 
Richer in virtue than the stars in light; 
If Edgar's humble fortunes may be graced 
With thy acceptance, at thy feet he lays them. 
Ha! my Cordelia, dost thou turn away? 
What have I done t'offend thee ? 

Cor. Talked of love. 

Edg. Then I've offended oft; Cordelia, too, 
Has oft permitted me so to offend. 

Co7\ When, Edgar, I permitted your addresses, 
I was the darling daughter of a king ! 
Nor can I now forget my royal birth. 
And live dependent on my lover's fortune ; 
I cannot to so low a fate submit ; 
And therefore study to forget your passion, 
And trouble me upon this theme no more. [Crosses to ft 

Edg. Thus majesty takes most state in distress. 
How are we tossed on Fortune's fickle flood ! 
The wave that with surprising kindness brought 
The dear wreck .to my arms, has snatched it baek. 
And left me mourning on the barren shore. 

Car. This baseness of the ignoble Burgundy 
Diaws just suspicion on the race of men ; 
His love was int'rest, so may Edgar's be, 
And he ^ut wi*h more compliment dissemble. 



lb KING LEAR. fAcT J 

[f SO, I shaL oblige liim by denying; 

But, if his love be fixed, such constant flame 

As warms my breast, if such I find his passion. 

My heart as grateful to his truth shall be, 

And cold Cordelia prove as kind as he. ^Exit^ B 

Enter Edmund, hastily, l. 

Edm. Brother, Pve found you in a lucky minute; 
Fly, and be safe ! some villain has incensed 
Our father against your hfe. 

Edg, Distressed Cordelia ! — but, oh, more cruel !— 

Edm, Hear me, sir ; your life, your life's in danger 
'Wake, 'wake, sir. 

Edg, Say you, brother? — 
No tears, good Edmund ; if thou bring'st me tidings 
To strike me dead, for charity delay not; 
That present will befit so kind a hand. 

Edm. Your danger, sir, comes on so fast, 
That I want time t'inform you ; but retire, 
Whilst I take care to turn the pressing stream. 
Oh, gods ! for heaven's sake, sir — 

Edg, Pardon me, Edmund ; 
But you talked of danger, 
And wished me to retire. — Must all our vows 
End thus? — Friend, I obey you. — Oh, Cordelia! 

[Exit, R. 

Edm, Ha! ha! Fond man! Such credulous honasty 
li esse ns the glory of my artifice ; 
His nature is so far from doing wrongs, 
That he suspects none. [ Takes out a letter,] If this letlei 

speed. 
And pass for Edgar's, as himself would own 
The counterfeit, but for the foul contents. 
Then my designs are pei-fect.— Here comes Glostei. 

[Attempts to conceal the letter. 

Enter Gloster, l. 

Glos. Stay, Edmund, turn ; what paper weie vou read- 
ing? 
Edm, A trifle, sir 

Glos, What needed, then, that terrible uespatch of it 
Into your pocket ? Come, produce it, sir. 



BcBWE II.] K1N3 LEAR. 17 

Edm, A letter from my brother, sir I kad 
Just broke the seal, but know not the contents : 

[Gives the letter to Glcster, 
Yet, fearing they might prove to blame, 
Endeavoured to conceal it from your sight. 

Glos, This is Edgar's character. 

[Reads.\ ** This policy of father's is intolerable^ that ketp 
our fortunes from us till age will not suffer us t ^njoy thtm ^ 
I am weary of the tyranny. Come to me, that of this ± 
may speak more. If our father would sleep till 1 waked 
him, you should enjoy half hih possessions, and live beloved 
of your brother,''* 

Sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy 
Half his possessions ! — Edgar to write this 
'Gainst his indulgent father ! Death and hell ! 

[ Crosses, r. 
Fly, Edmund, seek him out ; \yind me into him, 
That I may bite the traitor's heart, and fold 
His bleeding entrails on my vengeful arm. 

Edm, Perhaps 'twas writ, my lord, to prove my virtuo 

Glos, These late eclipses of the sun and moon 
Can bode no less^; love cools, and friendship fails; 
In cities mutiny, in countries discord ; 
The bond of nature cracked 'twixt son and fathei\ — 
Find out the villain ! do it carefully. 
And it shall lose thee nothing. [Exit R. 

Ed?n, So, now my project's firm ; but, to make sure 
I'll throw in one proof more, and that a bold one ; 
I'll place old Gloster where he shall o'erhear us 
Confer of this design ; whilst to his thinking, 
Deluded Edgar shall accuse himself. 
Be honesty my int'rest, and I can 
Be honest, too ; and what saint so divine, 
That will successful villainy decline. [Exit, tl 

SccxE III. — The Court before the Duke of Albany's Pa 

lace. 

Enter Kent, disguised, r. 

Kent, Now, banished Kent, if thou can'st pay thy iiuty 
In this disguise, wnere thou dost stand condemned, 
Thy master Lear shdll find thee full of labours. 

[Retires a lit tie ^ r. 



6 KING LEAR. [ /ICT U 

Enter King Lear, attended hy his Physician^ and three ^ 

Knights^ L. 

Lear, (l.) In there, and tell our daughter we are here. 

\Exit 1st Knighty r. 
Now, what art thou ? [Kent advances^ r. 

Kent, A man, sh\ 

Lear, What dost thou profess, or would'st with us ? 

Kent, I do profess to be no less than I seem, to serve 
liim truly that puts me in trust, to love him that's honest, 
to converse with him that's wise and speaks little, to fight 
when I can't choose, and to eat no fish. 

Lear, 1 say, what art thou ? 

Kent, A very honest-hearted fellow, and as poor as the 
king. 

Lear, If thou art as poor for a subject as he is for a 
king, thou art poor enough. — Dost thou know me, fel- 
low 1 

Kent, No, sir; but you have that in your countenance 
^/hich I would fain call master.. 

Lear, What's that ? 

Kent, Authority. 

Lear, What services canst thou do ? 

Kent, I can keep honest counsel, mar a curious tale in 
the telling, deliver a plain message bluntly ; that which or- 
dinary men are fit for, I am qualified in ; and the best of 
me is diligence. 

Lear, How old art thou ? 

Kent, Not so young, sir, to love a woman for singing ; 
nor so old, to dote on her for anything : I have years on 
my back forty -eight. 

Lear, Thy name ? 

Kent, Caius. 

Lear. Follow me ; thou shalt serve me. 

YKent goes r. of 2d Knight 

Enter Oswald, l., singings and passing King Lear cart 

lessly. 
Now, sir? 

Osw. Sir! — Tol de rol, &c. [Exit, singing, k 

Lear, What says the fehow? call the clodpole back. 

\ Exeunt Kent and 2d Knight^ r 



80ES£ III.] 



KING LEAR, 19 



Physic, (l.) My lord, I ki.ow not : bi t, methinli^, your 
ni^hness is entertftined with slender ceiemony. 

Lear. Say'st tliou so 1 
Thou but reraember'st me of mine own conception. 

Re-enter Second Knight, r. 

Why came not that slave back when I called him ? 

2d Knight, (r.) My lord, he answered i' th' surliest 
manner, that he would not. [Goes to his former place. 

Lear. (l. c.) I hope our daughter did not so instruct 
him. 

Oswald is brought in hy Kent, who puts hiin next to the, 

King. 

Now, who am I sir ? 

Osw, (c.) My lady's father. 

Jjear. My lady's father ! My lord's knave ! 

\Strikes him, 
Osw. I'll not be struck, my lord. 
Kent. Nor tript neither, you vile civet box. 

[ Trips up his heels, 
Lear. I thank thee, fellow : thou serv'st me. 
Kent. Come, sir, aiise, away; I'll teach you differences. 
[Exit Oswald, crying out, r. u. e. — Kent pursues him 
with his staff till he is off the Stage, then returns to 
the Knights, l. 
Gon. [ Within, r.] By day and night, this is insufferable ! 
I will not bear it ! 

Enter GoNERiL, r. u. e, attended hy a Page and two La 

dies. 

Lear, (c.) Now, daughter, why that fi'ontlet on 1 
Speak, does that frown become our presence ] 

Gon. (r.) Sir, this licentious insolence of your eervantf 
Is most unseemly : hourly they break out 
In quarrels, bred by their unbounded liots; 
I had fair hope, by making this known to you. 
To have had a quick redress ; but find, too late, 
That you protect and countenance their outrage ; 
And therefore, sir, I take this freedom, which 
Necessity makes discreet. 

Lear. Are you cur laughter? 



20 KING LEAH [Aol . 

Gon, Come, sir, let me entreat j >u to make us<^ 
Of your discretion, and put off betimes 
This disposition that of kte transforms you 
From what you rightly are. 

Lear, Does any here know me ? Why, this is not 
Lear ! 
Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus] Where are his 

eyes? 
Who is it that can tell me who I am 
Your name, fair gentlewoman ? 

Gon, Come, sir, this admiration's much o' th' savoui 
Of other your new humours ; I beseech you 
To understand my purposes : 
As you are old, you should be staid and wise : 
Here do you keep an hundred knights and 'squires. 
Men so debauched and bold, that this our palace 
Shews like a riotous inn, a tavern, brothel : 
Be then advised by her, that else will take 
That which she begs, to lessen your attendants ; 
Take half away, and see that the remainder 
Be such as may befit your age, and know 
Themselves and you. 

Lear, Darkness and devils ! — 
Saddle my horses, call my train together. 
Degenerate viper ! I'll not stay with thee ; 
I yet have left a daughter — Serpent 1 Monster ! — 
Lessen my train, and call them riotous ! 
All men approved, of choice and rarest parts, 
That each particular of duty know. — 
How small, Cordelia, was thy fault ! — Oh, Lear, 
Beat at this gate — [Strikes his head.] — that let thy folly in^ 
And thy dear judgment out ! Go, go, my people. 

Enter Albany, r. u. e. 

Ingrateful Duke ! — Prepare my horses. — Was this your 

will ? 
Who stirs ? [Exit 3<i KnigU 

Alb, What, sir ? 

Lear, Death ! fifty of my followers at a clap ! 

Alb, [ To Goneril,] The matter, madam ? 

Gon, Never afflict yourself to know the cause. 
But give nis dotage way 



SCEN£ III.] KING LEAR 21 

Lear, Blasts upon thee ! 
Th' untented woundings o». a father's curse 
Pierce every sense about thee ! — Old fond eyes, 
Be weep this cause again, 1*11 pluck ye out, 
And cast ye, with the waters that ye lose, 
To temper clay. — No, Gorgon! thou shalt find 
That I'll resume the shape which thou dost think 
I have cast off forever. 

Gon. (r.) Mark ye that ? 

Alh, (r. c.) I'm ignorant — 

Lear, (l.) It may be so, my lord. — [Throws away hii 
liat and staff as he falls on his knees,] Hear, Na- 
ture, hear ; 
Dear goddess, hear ! Suspend thy pui-pose, if 
Thou didst intend to make this creature fruitful ! 
Into her v\romb convey sterility ! 
Dry up in her the organs of increase ; 
That from her derogate body never spnng 
A babe to honour her. — If she must teem. 
Create her child of spleen ; that it may live, 
And be a thwart, disnatured torment to her ! 
Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth ; 
With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks ; 
Turn all her mother's pains and benefits 
To laughter and contempt ; that she may feel 
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is. 
To have a thankless child ! 

[Kent and the Physician raise the King- — the FirsM 
Knight takes up his hat and staff. 
Away ! away ! 

( Exeunt, King Lear and his Attendants^ L., Albany 
GonerUf and their Atteniants^ r. 

SNO OF 4CT 1. 



22 KING LEAR, 



[\c^ I. 



ACT II. 

Scene I, — The Earl of Ghstei s Castle 

^ Enter Edmund, l. 
Edm. (l.) The duke comes here tonight; I'll take &d 



vantage 



Of this an'ival to complete my project. \Knoclcs, m.t>. 
Brother, a word ; come forth — 'tis I, your friend 1 

Enter Edgar, m. d., and comes forward. 

My father watches for you, fly this place ; 

Intelligence is given where you are hid ! 

Take the advantage of the night. — Bethink, 

Have you not spoke against the Duke of CornwaJ, 

Something might show you a favourer of 

Duke Albany's party ? 

^(Ig, (r.) Nothing; why ask you? 

Edm, (l.) Because he's coming here to-night in haste, 
And Regan with him, 

Edg, Let him come on ; I'll stay and clear myself. 

Edm, Your innocence at leisure may be heard, 
But Gloster's storming rage as yet is deaf, 
And you may perish ere allowed the hearing. 

[Gloster without , l 
This way, this way ! 

I hea^' our father coming — Pardon me : — 
In cunning I must draw my sword upon you : — 
Draw : seem to defend yourself: [ They draw and fighU 

now quit you well. 
Yield ! come before my father 1 help, ho, here ! — 
Fly, brother ! help, here, help !— Farewell, farewell ! — 

[ ^xit Edgar ^ a. 
Some blood drawn on me would beget opinion 
Of our more fierce encounter. I have seen 
Drunkards do more than this in sport. 

\Stahs himself in the arm. 

Enter Gloster and two Servants^ l., with torches. 

Glos, Now, Edmund, where's the traitor ? 



Scene I/, 



KING t.EAR. 23 



Edm, Hei3 stcod he in the dark, hi:> sharp swoul out 
Mumblii-g of wicked charms. 

Glos. But where is he ? 

Ed7n Look, sir, I bleed ! [ Wraps his arm up. 

Glos, Where is the villain, Ecmund ? 

Edin, Sir, he is fled. When Ly no means he could— 

Glos, By no means what ? 

Edm, Persuade me to the murder of your lordship ; 
But that I told him the revenging gods 
G-ainst parricides did all their thunders bend ; 
4poke with how manifold and strong a bond 
"the child was bound to the father ; — sir, in fine, 
treeing how loathly opposite I stood 
To this unnatural purpose, in fell motion, 
With his prepared sword, he charges home 
My unprovided body, lanced mine ami : 
I*ut when he saw my best alarumed spirits, 
I old in the quarrel's right, roused to the encounter, 
C r whether gasted by the noise I made, 
1 ull suddenly he fled. 

Glos. Let him fly far, this kingdom shall not hide him. 
'J he noble duke, my patron, comes to-night ; 
y y his authority I will proclaim 
Rewards for him that brings him to the stake, 
And death for the concealer ; 
Then of my lands, loyal an(f natural boy, 
ril work the means to make thee capable. [Exeunt^ L, 

Scene IL — The Gates of Gloster's Castle, 

Enter Kent, r., in disguise, and Oswald, l. 

Osw, Good dawning to thee, friend : art of the house 
Kent. Ask them will answer thee. 
Osw. Where may we set our horses 1 
Kent, V th' mire. 

Osw, I am in haste : pr'ythee, an' thou lov'st me, tell 
le. 
Kent, I love thee not. 
Osw. Why, then, I care not for thee. 
Kent. An* I had thee in Lipsbury pinfold, I'd make 
^ee care for me. 

^sw. What dost thou mean 1 1 know thee not. 



24 KING LEAR. f Act U 

Kent, But, minion, 1 know thee. 

Gsw, What dost thou know me for ? 

Ktnt. For a base, proud, beggarly, white-livered, glass- 
^jiasiiig super-serviceable, finical rogue ; one that would be 
a pimp in way of good service, and art nothing but a com- 
positioi] of knave, beggar, coward, pander — 

Osw, \7hat a monstrous fellow ait thou, to rail at one 
that is noillier known of thee, nor knows thee ! 

Kent, Impadent slave ! not know me, who but two days 
since tripped up thy heels before the king? Draw, mis- 
creant, or I'll make the moon shine through thee. 

[Draws his sword, 

Osw, What means the fellow ? I tell thee, I have no- 
thing to do Willi thee. 

Kent, Draw, you rascal. I know your rogueship's of- 
fice : you come wiili letters against the king, taking my 
young lady Vanity's puit against her royal father : Draw, 
rascal. 

0$w. Murder, muidwr, help ! 

[Exit, Kent after Mm, r. s. e. 

Flourish of Trumpets. Enter Duke op Cornwall, Re- 
gan, Captain of the Guard, Attendants, Gloster, and 
Edmund, from the Ga^cs, l. c. 

Glos, All welcome to your graces : you do me honour 

Corn. Gloster, we have hvjard with sorrow that youi 
life 
Has been attempted by your iuipious son. 
But Edmund here has paid you strictest duty. 

Glos, He did bewray his practice, and received 
The hurt you see, striving to apprehend him. 

Corn, Is he pursued ? 

Glos, He is, my lord. 

Reg, Use our authority to apprehend 
The traitor, and do justice on his head. 
For you, Edmund, that have signalized 
Your virtue, you from henceforth shall be ours; 
Natures of such firm trust we much shall need. 

Corn, Lay comfort, noble Gloster, to your breast^ 
As we to ours. This night be spent in revels. 
We choose you, Gloster, foe our host to-nighl, 
A troublesome expression of our love 



Scene II.] KING LEAK. 25 

Oil, to the sports before us ! [Noise wilhpfiy R.J Who jtre 
these ] 

Enter Oswald, r., and crosses^ l., pursued hy Kent, Os- 
wold crying out for help. The Captain of the Guard 
stops Kent, r., and retires a little, r. 

Glos, (c.) Now, what's the matter? 

Corn, (c.) Keep peace, upon your lives ; he dies that 
strikes. 
Whence, and what are ye ? 

Reg. The messengers from our sister and the king. 

Corn, Your difference ? speak. 

Osw, (l. c.) I*m scarce in breath, my lord. 

Kent, No marvel, you have so bestirred your valour. 
Nature disclaims the dastard ; a tailor made him. 

Corn, Speak yet, how grew your quanel ? 

Osw, Sir, this old ruffian here, whose life I spared 
[n pity to his beard — 

Kent, (r.) Thou essence-bottle ! 
Jti pity to my beard ! — Your leave, my lord, 
A.nd I will tread the musk-cat into mortar! 

Corn, Know' St thou our presence ? 

Kent. (r. c.) Yes, sir, but anger has a pnvilege. 

Corn. Why art thou angry ? 

Kent. That such a slave as this should wear a sword. 
And have no courage ; office, and no honesty ; 
Not frost and fire hold more antipathy 
Than I and such a knave ! 

Glos. Why dost thou call him knave ? 

Kent. His countenance likes me not. 

Corn. No more, perhaps, does mine, nor his, or heia 

Kent, Plain dealing is my trade ; and to be plain, sir, 
J have seen better faces in my time. 
Than stand on any shoulders now before me. 

Reg. (l. c.) This is some fellow, that havitg oiice beeo 
praised 
For bluntness, affects a saucy rudeness : 
But I have known one of these surly knaves, 
That in his plainness harboured more design 
Than twenty cringing complimenting minions. 

Corn, What's the offence you gaviB him ? 

Osw. Never any, sir; 



26 KING LEAK 



rA^Tll 



It pleased the king, his master, lately 
To strike me on a slender misconstruction ; 
Whilst, watching his advantage, this old hirchei 
Tript me behind, for which the king extolled him ; 
And, flushed with the honour of this bold exploit, 
Drew on me here again. 

Corn, The stocks! \Two Guards extuiit at the Gai€\ 
we'll teach you. 

Kent. Sir, I am too old to leara ; 
1 serve the king, 

On whose employment 1 was sent to you : 
iTou'll show too small respect, and too bold malice. 
Against the person of my royal master, 
Stockiho: his messenorer. 

Re-enter two Guards, witJi the Stocks and Seat, which tkcy 
place R. of the Gates, 

Corn, As 1 have life and honour, 
There shall he sit till noon. [Guards seize Kent. 

Reg, Till noon, my lord ! Till night, and all night, too 
Kent, Why, madam, if I were your father's dog, 
You would not use me so. 

Reg, Sir, being his knave, T will. 

[Captain and Guards lead Kent away, and put htm 
in the Stocks, 
Glos, Let me beseech your graces to forbear him ; 
His fault is much, and the good king, his master, 
Will check him for't: but needs- must take it ill 
To be thus slighted in his messenger. 

Corn, We'll answer that ; 
Our sister may receive it worse to have 
Her gentleman assaulted. To our business, lead. 

^Flourish. — Exeunt all hut Gloster and Oswald, intf 
the Castle, l. 
Glos, I am sorry for thee, friend ; 'tis the duke's plea- 
sure, 
Whose disposition will not be controlled. 
But I'll intreat for thee. 

fiertt. Pray do not, sir. 
I have watched and travelled hard ; 
Some time 1 shall sleep out, the rest I'll whistle : 



Scene III.] 



KING LEAK. 27 



Farewell t'ye, sir. 

[Exit Gloster into the Castle, — Oswaid remains on tin 

Stage, mocks and insults Kent, then follows Glostct 

into the Castle, 
Good king, that must approve the common saw ! 
Thou out of heaven's benediction com'st 
To the warm sun. — All weary and o'erwatched, 
I feel the drowsy guest steal on me ; take 
Advantage, heavy eyes, of this kind slumber, 
Not to behold this vile and shameful lodging. [Sleeps 

Scene III. — A Forest. 

Enter Edgar, l., muffled up. 

Edg. I heard myself proclaimed. 
And, by the friendly hollow of a tree. 
Escaped the hunt. No port is free, no piace, 
Where guards and most unusual vigilance 
Do not attend to take me. — How easy now 
'Twere to defeat the malice of my trial, 
And leave my griefs on my sword's reeking point; 
But love detains me from death's peaceful cell, 
Still whispering me, Cordelia's in distress : 
Unkind as she is, I cannot see her wretched. 
But must be near to wait upon her fortune. 
Who knows but the blest minute yet may come, 
When Edgar may do service to Cordelia 1 
That charming hope still ties me to the oar 
Of painful life, and makes me, too, submit 
To th' humblest shifts that keep life a-foot. 
My face I will besmear, and knit my locks ; 
The country gives me proof and precedent 
Of Bedlam beggars, who, with roaring voices, 
Strike in their numbed and mortified bare arms 
Pins, iron spikes, thorns, sprigs of rosemaiy : 
And thus from sheep-cotes, villages and mills. 
Sometimes with pray'rs, sometimes with lunatic bana, 
Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygood ! po )r Tom ! 
That's s rmething yet^-Edgar I am no more. | Exit^ R 



28 KING L^AR. [Act '\ 

Sc5.iVE IV., — Before the Earl of Glcster^s Caslle.-^KENJ 
discovered in the Stocks. — Flourish of Trumpets, l. 

Enter King Lear and Physician, l., Knights, l. s. e. 

Lear, 'Tis strange, that they should so depart from 
home, 
And not send back our messenger. 

Kent. Hail, noble master ! 

Lear, (c.) How ! mak*st thou this shame thy pastime j 
What's he that has so much mistook thy place. 
To set thee here? 

Kent. It is both he and she, sir — your son and daughtoi. 

Lear, No. 

Kent. Yes. 

Lear. No, I say. 

Kent. I say, yea. 

Lear. They durst not do't; 
They could not, would not do't : 
Resolve me with all modest haste, which way 
Thou may'st deserve, or they impose this usage. 

Kent. My lord, when at their home 
[ did commend your highness* letters to them, 
Ere I was ris'n, arrived another post. 
Stewed in his haste, breathless, and panting forth 
From Goneril, his mistress, salutations ; 
Whose message being delivered, they took horse, 
Commanding me to follow, and att«tnd 
The leisure of their answer; which I did : 
But meeting here that other messenger. 
Whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine, 
Being the very fellow that of late 
Had shewn such inideness to your highness, I, 
Having more man than wit about me, drew ; 
On which he raised the house with coward cries : 
This was the trespass, which your son and daughter 
Thought worth the shame you see it suffer here. 

Lear, Oh ! this spleen swells upwards to my heart, 
And heaves for passage ! Down, thou climbing rage. 
Thy element's below. Where is this daughter ? 

Enter Gloster, from the Castle, r., and advances^ 

Kent. Within, sir, at a masque. 



ScbNElV.] KING LEAR. 29 

Lear, (i .) Now, Trloster ?— Ha ! 

[Glostt/ wJiispers hear 
Deny to speak with me ? Th'are sick, th'are weary 
They've travelled hard to-night? — Mere fetches, sir; 
Bring me a better answer. 

Glos. My dear lord, 
You know the fiery quality of the duke — 

Lear, Vengeance ! death 1 plague ! confuslcn ! 
Fiery ? — What quality ? — Why, Gloster, Gloster — 
I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. 

Glos, I have infomied them so. 

Lear. Informed them ? dost thou understand me, mant 
I tell thee, Gloster — 

Glos, Ay, my good lord. 

Lear, The king would speak with Cornwall ; the dear 
father 
Would with his daughter speak, commands her service: 
Are they informed of this ? My breath and blood ! 
Fiery ? The fiery duke ? Tell the hot duke- 
No, but not yet ; may be, he is not well ; 
Infirmity doth still neglect all ofiice ; 
I beg his pardon, and I'll chide my rashness, 
That took the indisposed and sickly fit 
For the sound man. — But wherefore sits he there 1 
Death on my state 1 This act convinces me 

[Pointing to the Stocks* 
That this retiredness of the duke and her, 
Is plain contempt. — Give me my servant forth. 
Go, tell the duke and's wife I'd speak with 'em, 
Now, instantly. — Bid 'em come forth and hear me ; 
Or at their chamber door I'll beat the drum, 
'Till it cry. Sleep to death. [Going up towards Gates, 

Enter Cornwall, Regan, Page, two Soldiers, Captain of 
\ the Guard, and Guards, from the Castle, l. c. 

Oh ! are you come ] 

Corn, (r.) Health to the king ! 

Reg, (r. c.) I am glad to see your highness. 

Lear, (c.) Regan, I think you are : 1 know what cauB0 
I have to think so. Should'st thou not be glad, 
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb. 



30 KING LEAR. [Act W 

Sepulchring an adulteress — 

[Crosses to Regan. — Cornwall signs to Captaiii of the 
Guardy Captain to the two Guards — they set Kem 
at liberty y who goes r. of physician ^ behind the King 
Beloved Regan, thou wilt shake to hear 
What I shall utter; — thou could'st ne'er ha' thought it ;— 
Thy sister's naught ! Oh, Regan ! she hath tied 
Ingratitude, like a keen vulture, here ; 
I scarce can speak to thee. 

Reg, I pray you, sir, take patience; I have hope 
That you know less to value her desert, 
Than slie to slack her duty. 

Lear, Ha ! How's that ? 

Reg, I cannot think my sister in the least 
Would fail in her respects ; but if, perchance, 
She has restrained the riots of your followers, 
'Tis on such gi'ounds, and to such wholesome ends. 
As clear her from all blame. 

hear. My curses on her ! 

Reg, (r. c.) Oh, sir, you're old. 
And should content you to be ruled and led 
By some discretion that discerns your state, 
Better than you yourself; therefore, good sir, 
Return to our sister, and say you have wronged hor. 

Licar, (c.) Ha ! ask her forgiveness ! 
Do you but mark how this becomes the house : 

[Kneeling, 
Dear daughter, I confess that I am old : 
Age is unnecessary ; on my knees I beg, 
That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. 

Reg, G ood sir, no more of these unsightly passions ; 
Return back to our sister. 

Lear, Never, Regan ; [Risa^ 

She hath abated me of half my train. 
Looked black upon me, stabbed me with her tongue : 
All the stored vengeances of heaven fall 
On her ingrateful head ! Strike her young bones, 
Y^e taking airs, with lameness ! 

Reg. Oh, the blest gods ! thus will you wish on me, 
When the rash mood — 

Lear, No, Regan, thou shalt never have my curse i 
Thy tender nature cannot give thee o'er 



SCEWE IV.] 



KING LEAR. 31 



To such impiety : thou better know'st 

The offices of nature, bond of* childhood, 

And dues of gratitude ; thou bear'st in mind 

The half o' th' kingdom, which our love conferred 

On thee and thine. 

iJe^. Good sir, to th' purpose. 

Lea?'. Who put my man i' th' stocks ? 

[ Trumpet sounaSt t 

Corn. What trumpet's that? 

Reg. I know't, my sister's; this confirms her letters. 

Enter Oswald, l. 

Sir, is your lady come ] 

Lear. More toiture still ! 
Out, varlet, from my sight ! 

[SfJ'ikes Oswald^ who crosses totcards Kent, who thrat' 
ens him — he then escapes, r. u. e., crying out. 
Corn. What means your grace? 

Lear. Who stocked my servant? Regan, I have hop% 
Thou didst not know it. [ Trumpet sounds. 

Enter Goneril, Pagc^ two Ladies, Guards, and two Ban- 
ners, L. 

Who comes here ? Oh, heavens ! [Crosses, r. 

If you do love old men ; if your sweet sway 

Allow obedience ; if yourselves are old. 

Make it your cause : send down, and take my part ! (c.) 

[ To Goneril.] Why, Gorgon, dost thou come to haunt me 

here? 
Art not ashamed to look upon this beard ? 

[Regan takes Goneril hy the hand. 
Darkness upon my eyes, they play me false ! 
Oh, Regan, wilt thou take her by the hand ? 

Gon. Why not by th' hand, sir? [Crosses to Lear, ^ 
How have I offended ? 
\ All's not offence that indiscretion finds, 
And dotage terms so. 

Lear, (c.) Heart, thou ait too tough ! 
Reg. I pray you, sir, being old, confess you are wx 
If, till the expiration of your monifh. 
You will return, and sojourn with our sister. 
Dismissing half your train, come then to me ! 



32 KING LEAK. 



A f M 



I'm now from home, and out of that provision 
Tliat shall be needful for your entertainment. 

Lear, Return with her, and fifty knights dismissed 1 
No, rather I'll abjure all roofs, and choose 
To be companion to the midnight wolf. 
My naked head expensed to ih' merciless air, 

[ T/it'ows down Ids hat, Kent talzcs it up 
Than have m.y smallest wants sujiplied by her. 

Gon. At your choice, sir. 

Lear, Now, I prythee, daughter, do not make me madi 
1 will not trouble thee, my child ; farewell ; 
Let shame come when it will, I do not call it ; 
I do not bid the thunder-bearer strike, 
Nor tell tales of tliee to avenG^inc: heaven. 
Mend when thou canst; be better at thy leisure; 
I can be patient, I can stay with Regan, 
I and my hundred knights. 

Reg, Your pardon, sir; 
1 looked not foi* you yet, nor am provided 
For your fit welcome. 

Lear, Is this well spoken, now 1 

Reg. My sister tjeats you fair. What ! fifty followers ) 
Is it not well ? What should you need of more ? 

Gon, Why might not you, my lord, receive attendance 
From those whom she calls servants, or from mine ? 

Reg. Why not, my lord ? If then they chance to slack 

you, 

We could control them. If you come to me. 
For now I see the danger, 1 intreat you 
To bring but fi ve-and-twenty ; to no more 
Will I give place. 

Lear, I gave you all ! 

Reg, And in good time you gave it. 

Lear, Hold now, my temper ! stand this bolt unmoved, 
And I am thunder-proof! [It begins to 7nin. 

Gon, (l.) Hear me, my lord. 
What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or ff\^e, 
To follow in a house, where twice so many 
Have a command t' attend you ? 

Reg, (r.) What need one ? [Distant thunde^ 

Lear, (c.) Heav'ns, drop your patience down ! 
Vou see me here, ye gods, a poor old man. 



BCimtlO KING LEAH. 33 

As full of giioi as age, wretched in both !^- 

If it be vou tha- stir these daughters' hearts 

Against their father, fool me not so rouch 

To bear it tamely ; touch me with noble anger 

Oh, let not woman's weapons, water drops, 

Stain my man's cheek ! — No, you unnatural hags, 

I will have such revenges on you both, 

That all the world shcill— I will do such things, 

What they are, yet I know not; but they shall be 

The teiTors of the earth! — [Crosse s^ h,] You think VO 

weep : 
No, I'll not weep : 

I have full cause of weeping ; but this heart 
Shall break into a hundred thousand flaws. 
Or ere I'll weep ! — [Rain and tJ under. 

Oh, gods, I shall go mad ! 

[Exeunt King Lear, Kent, KnigJits^ L. e., Cornwall. 

Regan, Goneril, Gloster, Oswald, and AttendanU 

into tlie Castle, l. 

END OF ACT II. 



ACT III, 

Scene L— ^ Desert Heath, — Stage darkened.-^Rat?!^ 
Thunder, and Lightning, 

Enta- Lear and Kent, l. s. e. 

Lear, (c.) Blow, wind, and crack your cheeks ! i*age ! 
blow ! 
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout 
'Till you've drenched our steeples ! 
You sulph'rous and thought-executing fires, 
* Vaunt couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts, 
Singe my white head ! And thou, all-shaking thutder, 
Strike flat the thick rotundity o' the woild ! 
Crack nature's moulds, all germins spill at once 
1 hat make ingrateful man 1 

Kent, (l. c.) Not all my best intreacies can pei«uade 
him 



34 KING LEAR. [Act £11 

Into some needful shelter, or to 'bide 

This poor slight covering on his aged head, 

Exposed to this wild war of earth and heav'n. 

[ Thunder, lightning, and ram. 
Lear^ Rumble thy fill ! fight, whirlwind, rain, and fire ! 
Not fire, wind, rain, or thunder are my daughters : 
I tax not you, ye elements, with unkindness ; 
I never gave you kingdoms, called you children; 
^ou owe me no obedience. — Then let fall 
Your horrible pleasure ! — Here I stand your slave, 
A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man. — 

[Rain, thunder, and lightning, 
Yet I will call you servile ministers. 
That have with two pernicious daughters joined 
Your high engendered battle, 'gainst a head 
So old and white as this ! Oh ! oh ! 'tis foul ! 

Kent. Hard by, sir, is a hovel, that will lend 
Some shelter from this tempest. 

Lear. I will forget my nature. What, so kind a fa- 
ther 'I— 
Ay, there's the point. [Rain, thunder, and lightning 

Kent, (c.) Consider, good my liege, things that love 
night, 
Love not such nights as this; these wrathful skies 
Gallow the very wanderers of the dark, 
And make them keep their caves : such drenching rain, 
Such sheets of fire, such claps of horrid thunder, 
Such groans of roaring winds, have ne'er been known ! 

[ Thunder very loud, 

Lear. Let the great gods. 
That keep this dreadful pother o'er our heads, 
Find out their enemies now. Tremble, thou wretch. 
That hast within thee undiscovered crimes ! — 
Hide, hide, thou murd'rer, hide thy bloody hand ! — 
Thou perjured villain, holy hypocrite, 
That drink'st the widow's tears, sigh now, and ask 
These dreadful summoners grace ! — I am a man 
More sinned against, than sinning. [Crosses^ 0. 

Kent. Good sir, to th' hovel. 

Lear, (r.) My wits begin to turn. [Lightning. 

Come on, my boy : How dost, my boy ? an cold ? 
I'm cold mvs'elf I Shew me this Rtraw, my tejlo^i- : 



Scene 1 1. J 



KING LEAR. 36 



The art of our necessity is strange, 

And can make vile things precious. My pc n ki ave» 

Cold as I am at heart, I've one place there 

That's sorry yet for thee. 

[Rain — Thunder — Lightning, — Exeunt, r. 

Scene II. — A Room in Glostcr^s Castle. 

Enter Edmund, r. 

Edm, The storm is in our louder revellings drow^ned— 
Thus would I reign, could I but mount a throne. 
The riots of these proud imperial sisters, 
Already have imposed the galling yoke 
Of taxes and hard impositions on 
The drudging peasant's neck, who bellows out 
His loud complaints in vain. — Triumphant queens ! 
With what assurance do they tread the crowd ! 
Oh ! for a taste of such majestic beauty, 
Which none but my hot veins are fit t' engage : 
Nor are my wishes desp'rate ; for e'en now. 
During the banquet, I observed their glances 
Shot thick at me ; and, as they left the room, 
Each cast, by stealth, a kind inviting smile, 
The happy earnest — ha ! 

Enter two Pages, from opposite sides, each delivers Mm a 
letter, and exeunt, R. and L. 

[Reads,'\ " Where merit is so transparent, not to behold 
it were blindness, and not to reward it, ingratitude. 

" GONERIL." 

Enough ! blind and ungrateful should I be, 
Not to obey the summons of this cracle. 
Now for the second letter, 

[Reads,] " If modesty be not your enemy, doubt not to find 
me your friend. " Regan." 

Excellent Sybil ! Oh, my glowing blood i 

am already sick with expectation, 

nd pant for the possession. — Here Gloster comes, 

Ith business on his brow ; — be hushed, my joys ! 

Enter Gloster, l. 

Glos. (l.) r come to seek thee. Edmund, to impart a 
'U6inesst>T impditance. I kno\^ thy loval heart is toucl*- 



86 K NG LEAR. [Aci ill 

ed to see the cruelty of these ungrateful daughters against 
our royal roaster. 

Edm, Most savage and unnatural. 

GIos, Thou, Edmund, art my trusty emissa/y. 
Haste on the spur, at the first break of day, 
With these despatches to the Duke of Cambray. 

[Gives hhyi Utte.'m 
You know what mortal feuds have always flamed 
Between this Duke of Cornwall's family, and his; 
Full twenty thousand hardy mountaineers 
The invpterate prince will send to our assistance. 
Dispatch ; commend us to his grace, and prosj)er. 

\Exit^ L 

Edm, Yes, credulous old man, 
I will commend you to his grace. 
His grace the Duke of Cornwall : — instantly, 
rU shew him these contents in thy own character, 
And sealed with thy own signet ; then forthwith 
The choleric duke gives sentence on thy life. 
And to my hand thy vast revenues fall, 
To glut my pleasures that till now have starved. 

[Retires, R. 

Gloster returns, l., followed hy Cordelia and Aranthr 

poorly dressed. — Edmund ohserving at a distance. 

Cor. (l.) TuiTi, Gloster, turn ; by all the sacred power 
I do conjure you, give my griefs a hearing : [Kneels, 

You must, you shall, — nay, I am sure you will; 
For you were always styled the just and good. 

Glos. (c.) What would 'st thou, princess ? Rise, and 

speak thy griefs. 
Car, Nay, you shall promise to redress 'em, too. 
Or here I kneel forever. I entreat 
Thy succour for a father, and a king — 
An injured father, and an injured king. 

Edm, (r.) [^5zJe.j Oh, charming sorrow ! How fcet 

tears adorn her ! 

Glos, Consider, princess, [Raises her. 

For whom thou begg'st — 'tis for the king that wronged 

thee. 

<J>r» Oh, name not that ! he did not, could not v rong 
me 1 






SCEWE 1 1. J 



fCING LHAR. 37 



Nay, muse not, Gloster ; for it is toe li cely 
The injured king ere this is past yoi r aid, 
And gone distracted with his savage wrongs. 

Edm, [Aside.\ 111 gaze no moie ^ — and yet my eyes are 
charmed ! 

Cor. Or, what if it be worse ? — Can there be worse ? 
Ah, 'tis too probable, this furious night 
Has pierced his tender body ; the bleak winds 
And cold rain chilled, or lightning struck him d^ead ; 
If it be so, your promise is discharged. 
And I have only one poor boon to beg, — 
That you convey me to his breathless tiiink, 
With my torn robes to wrap his hoary head, 
With my torn hair to bind his hands and feet ; 
Then with a shower of tears 
To wash his clay-smeared cheeks, and die beside him. 

Glos, Oh, fair Cordelia, thou hast piety 
Enough t* atone for both thy sister's ciimes ; 
I have already plotted to restore 
My injured master; and thy virtue tells me 
We shall succeed, and suddenly. [Exit, R. 

Cor, Dispatch, Aran the ; 
For in this disguise we'll instantly 
Go seek the king, and bring him some relief. [Crosses, L. 

Aran, How, madam ! are you ignorant 
That your most impious sisters have decreed 
Immediate death for any that relieve him % 

Cor, I cannot dread the furies in this cause ! 

Aran, In such a night as this ] Consider, madam, 
For many miles about there's scarce a bush 
To shelter in. 

Cor, Therefore no shelter for the king. 
And more our charity to find him out. 
What have not women dared for vicious love % 
And we'll be shining proofs that they can daie 
J For piety as much. [ Tkanatf 

' Biow, winds, and lightnings fall ; 
i Bold in my virgin innocence, I'll fly 
^ My royal father to relieve, or die. 

[Exeunt Cordelia and Aranthe, u 
■ Edm, " In this disguise, we'll instantly 
G^ seek the king !"--Ha I ha ! a lucky" change 

a 



3S KIN I LEAR. [AcrlU 

That virtue, which I feared would be my hindrance. 
Has proved the bawd to my design. 
I'll bribe two ruffians, shall at distance follow, 
And seize them in some desert place ; and there, 
Whilst one retains her, t' other shall return 
T' inform me where she's lodged. I'll be disguised, too. 
Whilst they are poaching for me, I'll to the duke 
With these dispatches ; then to the field, 
Where, like the vig'rous Jove, I will enjoy 
This Semele in a storm ; 'twill deaf her cries, 
Like drums in battle, lest her groans should pierce 
My pitying ear, and make the am'rous iight less fierce. 

[Exit, L. 

Scene III. — AnotJitr Tart of the Heath, — Rain — Thun* 
der — Lightning, — Lamps down. 

Enter King Lear and Kent, l. 

Kent, Here is the place, my lord ; good my lord, enter; 
The tyranny of this open night's too rough 
E^or nature to endure. [Storm increases. 

Lear, Let me alone. 

Kent. Good my lord, enter. 

Lear. Wilt break my heart ? 

Kent, I'd rather break my own. 

Lear. Thou think'st 'tis much that this contei tious 
storm 
Invades us to the skin ; so 'tis to thee ; 
But where the greater malady is fixed. 
The lesser is scarce felt. The tempest in my mind 
Doth from my senses take all feeling else, 
Save what beats there. Filial ingratitude ! 
Is it not aa this mouth should tear this hand 
For lifting food to't ] — But I'll punish h(»me ! 
No, I T\'ill weep no more. [Rain — Thunder — Lightning 
In such a night 

To shut me out ! — Pour on, I will endure — 
\\ such a night as this ! Oh, Regan, Goneril ! 
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all — 
Oh, that way madness lies ! let me shun that — 
No more of that. [Cros9e$, 1» 

Kent, See, my lord, here's the entrance. 

Lear. Well. I'll go in. 



RCEWXIII.] KING LEAR. 39 

And pass it all : I'll pray, and then I'll sleep. [ Thunder 

Poor naked wretches, wheresoever you are, 

That 'bide the pelting of this pitilets storm. 

How shall your houseless heads and unfed sides 

Sustain this shock — your raggedness defend you 

From seasons such as these ? Oh, I have ta'en 

Too little care of this. Take physic, pomp; 

Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel, 

That thou may'st cast the supei-flux to thenr, 

And show the heav'ns more just ! 

Edgar. [In the Hovel, r. u. e., throwing out Sir aw, '\ 
Five fathom and a half. — Poor Tom ! 

Kent, (c.) What art thou, thai dost gnimble there i' th* 
Btraw ] Come forth ! 

Enter Edgar, disguised, from ike Hovel, r. u. e. — He ad* 

vances, r, 

Edg, Away ! the foul fiend follows me — Through tne 
6hai*p hawthorn blows the cold wind — Mum, go to thy bed. 
and waim thee. — [-^^/tZe.] Ha ! what do I see 1 
By all my griefs, the poor old king bare-headed. 
And drenched in this foul stonii ! Professing Syrens, 
Are all your protestations come to this ? 

Lear, (l.) Tell me, fellow, did'st thou give all to thj 
two daughters ? [ Crosses to Edgar, r. 

Edg. (r. c.) Who gives anything to poor Tom, whom 
the foul fiend has led through fire and through flame, 
through bushes and bogs; that has laid knives under his 
pillow, and halters \n his pew : that has made him proud 
of heart to ride on a bay trotting horse over four-inched 
bridges, to course his own shadow for a traitor ? Bless 
thy five wits ! Tom's a-cold. Bless thee from whirlwinds, 
star-blasting, and taking! Do poor Tom some chanty, 
whom the foul fiend vexes. Sa, sa ; there, I could have 
him now, and there, and there again. 

[Strikes with his Staff. 

Lear. (r. c.) What, have his daughters brought him to 
ibis pass ! Could'st thou save nothing 1 Didst thou give 
them all ] 

Kent, (l. c.) He has no daughter, sir. 

Lear. Death, traitor ! nothing could have bi bdued n^ 
tiii-e 



40 KIN<; ..EAR. [ACY II! 

To such a lowncss, but his unkind daughters. 

Edg. Pillicock sat upon pillicock hill ; huJlo, hallo, hal- 
lo ! 

Lear. Is it the fashion that discarded fatiiors 
Should have such little mercy on their flesh! 
Judicious punishment ! *Twas this flesh begot 
Those pelican daughters. 

Edg. Take heed of the foul fiend; obey thy parents 
keep thy word justly ; swear not ; commit not with man's 
sworn spouse ; set not thy sweet heart on proud aiTay 
[ Wind and rain,] Tom's a-cold. 

Lear. What hast thou been 1 

Edg. A serving-man, proud of heait ; that curled my 
hair; used perfume and washes; that served the lust of 
my mistress's heart, and did the act of darkness with her, 
swore as many oaths as I spoke words ; and broke ihem 
all in the sweet face of heaven. Let not tlio puint, nor the 
patch, nor the rustling of silks, betray thy poor heart to 
woman ; keep thy foot out of brothels, ihy hand out of 
plackets, thy pen from creditors' books, and defy the foul 
fiend ! [ Wind.] Still through the hawthorn blows the cold 
wind. Ha, no nonny, dolphin my boy, my boy, sessa; 
]et him ti-ot by. 

Lear. Death ! thou wert better in thy -grave, than thus 
to answer with thy uncovered body this extremity of the 
sky. Yet consider him well, and man's no more than this; 
thou art indebted to the worm for no silk, to the beast for 
no hide, to the cat for no perfume. Ha ! here's two of us 
are sophisticated : thou art the thing itself; unaccommo- 
ilated man is no more than such a poor, bare, forked ani 
nal as thou art. 

Off, off, ye vain disguises, empty lendings,[T<27*e* Aw cfo^Aa 
I'll be my original self; quick, quick, uneasy me. 

Kent. Defend his wits, good heaven ! 

Lear. One point I had forgot ; what is your name ? 

Edg. Poor Tom, that eats the swimming frog, the wali 
newt and the water-newt; that in the fury of his heart, 
when the foul fiend rages, eats cow-dung for salads, swal- 
lows the old rat ar.d the ditch-dog; that drinks the green 
mantle of the standing pool; that's whipped from tythin^ 
to tything ; that has three- suits to his back; six shiits tc 
his lK>dy ; 



RcEWE ni.] KING LEAR. 41 

Horse to i.Je, and weapon to wear; 
But rats and mice, and such small deer, 
Have been Tom's food for seven long year. 
Beware my followers ; peace, Smolkin, peace, thou foul 
fiend 1 

Lear. One word more, but be sure true counsel:-— tell 
me, is a madman a gentleman, or a yeoman ] 

Kent, [Aside,] I feared 'twould come to this : his wits 
are gone. 

Edg, Frateretto calls me, and tells me, Nero is an an- 
gler in the isrke of darkness. Pray innocent, and beware 
the foul fiend 1 

Lear. Right, ha, ha! — was it not pleasant to have a 
thousand with red-hot spits come hissing in upon them ? 

Edg, [Aside] My tears begin to take his part so much, 
they mar my counterfeiting. 

Lear, The little dogs and all. Tray, Blanch, and Sweet- 
heart, see, they bark at me. 

Edg, Tom will throw his head at 'em : 'vaunt, ye curs I 
Be thy mouth or black or w^iite. 
Tooth that poisons, if it bite : 
Mastiff, greyhound, mongrel grim. 
Hound or spaniel, brache or lym, 
Bob-tail tike, or trundle tail, 
Tom w411 make 'em weep and wail ; 
For with throwing thus my head. 
Dogs leap the hatch, and all are fled. 
See, see, see ! [ Throws Ids straw head-dress at them* 

Come, march to wakes, and fairs, and market towns. 
Poor Tom, thy horn is dry. [Crosses, l. 

Lear, You, sir, I entertain you for one of my hundred ; 
only I do not like the fashion of your garments; you'll 
say they're Persian ; but no matter, let 'em be changed. 

Edg, This is the foul fiend Flibber^^igibbet ; he begins 
a curfew, and walks till the first cock : he gives the web, 
and the pin; knits the elflock ; squints the eye, and nriakea 
the hair lip; mildews the white wheat, and hurtr the poor 
creatures of the earth. 

Saint Withold footed thrice the wold ; 
He met the nijjht-mare and her nine fold 

'Twas there he did appoint her ; 
He oid her alight, and tier troth plight. 
And aroint the witch « aroint her. 



42 KING r.EAR. 



[A»T rn 



Enter Glosier and two Servants with Ton ics, i . 

Glos. What, has your grace no better coirpany 1 

Edg, The prince of darkness is a gentleman ; Modo 
he is called, and Mahu. 

Glos, [To Lear,] Go with me, sir; hard by I have a 
tenant. My duty cannot suffer me to obey in all your 
daughters' hard commands; though their injunctions be 
to bar my doors, and let this tyrannous night take hold up- 
on you, yet I have ventured to come seek you out, and 
oring you w^here both fire and food are ready.* 

Kent. Good my lord, take this offer. 

Lear, First, let me talk with this philosopher. 

[Lear and Edgar sit on the ground. 
Say, iStagyrite, what is the cause of thunder ? 

Glos, (r.) Beseech you, sir, go with me. 

Lear, (c.) I'll talk a word with this same learned The- 
ban. 
What is your study ? 

Edg, (l, c.) How to prevent the fiend, and to kill ver- 
min. 

Lear, Let me ask you a word in privRte. 

[ I V It isj?€rs Edgar. 

Kent, (r. c.) [To Glos,] His wits are quite unsettled; 
good sir, let's force him hence. 

Glos, [To Kent,] Can'st blame him? His daughters 
seek his death, 
This bedlam but disturbs him the more : fellow, begone. 

[Edgar rises 

Edg, Child Rowland to the dark tower came, 
His word was still fie, foh, and fum, [Crosses^ r, 

I smell the blood of a British mdin,'^[Astde,] Oh, toiture I 

[Exit, R, V, E., into the Hovel. 

Glos, Now, 1 p'rythee, friend, let'.» take him in our 
arms : 
There is a litter ready ; lay him ip't, 
And drive toward Dover, friend, where thou shalt meet 
Both welcome and protection. 
Good sir, along with us. 

Lear, You say right; let 'em anatomize Regan, see 
what breeds about her heart, Is there any cause in na- 
ture for these hard hearts ] 



Scene III.] 



KING LEAR. 43 



Kent. I beseech your grace — [ Thei/ raise hiyn. 

Lear, Hist ! — make no noise, make no noise ; — draw 
the curtains ; closer, closer ; — so, so, so — we'll go to sup- 
per i' the morning — so, so, so. 

[Falls asleep J and is carried off by Gloster and Ke?U 
R, — Thunder and Lightning. 

Enter Cordelia and Aranthe, l. u. e. 

Aran, Dear madam, rest you here, our search is vain. 
Look, here's a shed ; beseech you, enter here. 

Cor. Pr'ythee, go in thyself, seek thy own ease ; 
Where the mind's free, the body's delicate ; 
This tempest but diverts me from the thought 
Of what would hurt me more. 

Enter two Ruffians, l. u. e. 

1.5^ Ruff. We've dogged them far enough ; this place iai 
private ; I'll keep 'em prisonei's here within this hovel, 
whilst you return and bring Lord Edmund hither; but 
help me first to house 'em. — Now, dispatch. 

[ They seize Cordelia and Aranthe. 
Cor. Help ! — murder ! — help ! — Gods, some kind thun- 
derbolt 
To strike me dead ! 
Aran. Help ! help ! 

Enter Edgar from the Hovels r. u. e 

Edg, What cry was that 1 — Ha ! women seized by nit« 
fians ! 
Js this a place and time for villainy ? 
A vaunt, ye bloodhounds ! 

[Drives them off with his quarter-staffs L. 
Oh, speak, what are ye, that appear to be 
O' the tender sex, and yet unouarded wander 
Through the dead mazes of this dreadful night. 
Where, though at full, the clouded moon scarce darts 
Imperfect glimmerings ? 

Cor. First, say, what art thou ? 
Our Guardian Angel, that weit pleased to assume 
That horiid shape to fright the ravishers? 
We'll kneel to thee. \KneeU 

Edg, [Aside.\ Oh, my tumultuous bio >d ! 



,44 KING LtilAR. [AcT L 

By all my trembling veins, Cordelia's voire ! 
'Tis she herself! — My senses, sure, conform 
To my wild garb, and 1 am mad indeed ! 

Co7\ Whatever thou art, befriend a wretched virgin. 
And if thou can'st, direct our weary search. 

Edg. Who relieves poor Tom, that sleeps on the nettlo, 
with the hedge-pig for his pillow ? 

Whilst Smug plyed the bellows. 
She trucked with her fellows ; 
The freckle-faced Mab 
Was a blouze and a drab. 
Yet Swithen made Oberon jealous. — [Aside,'\ Oh, 
torture 1 

Aran. Alack ! madam, a poor wandering lunatic. 

Cor. And yet his language seemed but now well-tem- 
pered. 
Speak, friend, to one more wretched than thyself; 
And if thou hast one interval of sense. 
Inform us, if thou canst, where we may find 
A poor old man, w^ho through this heath hath strayed 
The tedious night. — Speak — saw'st thou such a one ? 

Edg. [Aside.] The king, her father, whom she's come 
to seek 
Through all the teiTors of this night ! Oh, gods ! 
That such amazing piety, such tenderness. 
Should yet to me be cruel ! — 
Yes, fair one, such a one was lately here, 
And is conveyed by some that came to seek him 
To a neighbouring cottage ; but distinctly where, 
I know not. 

Cor. Blessings on them I [Crosses^ r 

Let's find him out, Aran the ; for thou see'st 
We are in heaven's protection. [Going ojf, r 

Edg. (c.) Oh, CordeHa ! 

Cor. Ha ! thou know'st my name. 

Edg, As you did once know Edgar's. 

Cor. Edgar ! 

Edg. The poor remains of Edgar, w^iat 
if our sc jrn has left him. 

Cor. Do wo wake, Aranthe ? 

Edg. My father seeks my lifo, which I pieservp,/?. 
In hope of some blest minute to oblige 



Scene III.] KING LEAR 46 

Distressed Cordelia, and the gods have given it I 
Thac thout^ht alone prevailed with me to take 
This frantic dress, to make the earth my bed, 
With these bare limbs all change of seasons 'bide, 
Noon's scorching heat, and midnight's piercing cokI» 
To feed on offals, and to drink with herds, 
To combat with the winds, and be the sport 
Of clowns, or, what's more wretched yet, their pity. 
Cor, Was ever tale so full of miserv ! 

V 

Edg, But such a fall as this, I grant, was due 
To my aspiring love ; for 'twas presumptuous, 
Though not presumptuously pursued ; 
For, well you know, I wore my flame concealed, 
And silent, as the lamps that burn in tombs ; 
Till you perceived my giief, with modest grace 
Drew forth I he secret, and then sealed my pardon. 

Cor, You had your pardon, nor can challenge more. 

Edg. What do I challenge more ? 
Such vanity agrees not with these rags : 
When in my prosp'rous state, rich Gloster's heir, 
You silenced my pretences, and enjoined me 
To trouble you upon that theme no more; 
Then what reception must love's language find 
From these bare limbs, and beo^grar's humble weeds 1 

Cor, Such as the voice of pardon to a wretch condemnor 
Such as the shouts 
Of succourinor forces to a town besieg-ed. 

Edg, Ah ! what new method now of cruelty ? 

Cor, Come to my arms, thou dearest, best of men, 
And take the kindest vows that e'er were spoke 
By a protesting maid. 

Edg. Is't possible ! 

Cor, By the dear vital stream that bathes my heart. 
These hallcivved rags of thine, and naked virtue, 
These abject tassels, these fantastic shrews. 
To me are dearer than the richest pomp 
Of purpled m on arch s. 

Edg. Generous, charming maid ! [ Thei/ embracer 

Cor. Cold and v/eary. 
We'll rest awhile, Aranthe, on that straw. 
Then forward to find out the poor old king. 

'Exit Aranthe into the hovel ^ R. u. ft. 



^ii KING LEAR. [Aci I\ 

Etlg, L^ok, I have flint and steel, the implerr entB 
Of waTid'iing lunatics ; I/U strike a ^ight, 
And make a fire beneath this shed, to dry 
Thy storm-drenched garments, ere thou lie to rest thee 
Then, fierce and wakeful as th' Hesperian dragon, 
I'll watch beside thee to protect thy sleep : 
Meanwhile the stars shall dart their kindest beams, 
And angels ^'i8it my Cordelia's dreams. 

\^Exeunt into the hovel, r. u. b 

END OF ACT III. 



ACT IV. 

Scene I. — An Apartment in the Earl of Gloster's Casth 

Enter Duke of Cornwall, a letter in his hand, Regan» 
Edmund, Edward, and Servants, r., Officer and foul 
Guards, r. s. e. 

Corn, (r.) I will have my revenge, ere I depart his 
house ! 
Regan, see here : a plot upon our state ; 

[Gives her a letter 
*Tis Gloster's character, who has betrayed 
His double trust, of subject and of host. 

Reg, Then double be our vengeance ; this confirms 
Th' intelligence that we but now received. 
That he has been this night to seek the king. — 
But who, sir, was the kind discoverer 1 

Corn, Our eagle, quick to spy, and fierce to seize, 
Our trusty Edmund. 

Reg, 'Twas a noble service ; 
Oh, Cornwall, take him to thy deepest trust, 
And wear him as a jewel at thy heart. 

Edm, Think, sir, how hard a fortune I sustain, 
That makes me thus repent of serving you. 
Oh, that this treason had not been, or I 
Not the discoverer ! 

Corn, Edmund, thou shalt find 
A father in our love, and from this minute 



gCENE I.) KING LEAR 4> 

We call thee Earl of Gloster ; but Ihere yet 

Remains another justice to be doi.B- — 

And that's to punish the discarded traitor. 

But, lest thy tender nature should relent 

At his just sufferings, nor brook the sight, 

We wish thee to withdraw. 

(c.) Bring in the traitor! [Exit Ed?nu7id, h. 

Enter Gloster, hr ought in by two Servants ^ l. 

Bind fast his arms. 

Gtos. (l.) What mean your graces ? 
You are my guests ; pray, do me no foul play. 

Corn. Bind him, [They hind tJiem,^ I say, hard, hardei 

yet. 
Reg. (l. c.) Now, traitor, thou shalt find — 

[ Crosses half way up the Stage 
Corn. Speak, rebel, where hast thou sent the king. 
Whom, spite of our decree, thou saved'st last night ? 
Glos. Tni tied to th' stake, and I rriust stand the course 
Reg. Say where, and why, thou hast concealed him 

traitor. [Comes down to Gloster 

Glos. Because I would not see thy cruel hands 
Tear out his poor old eyes, nor thy fierce sister 
Cai-ve his anointed flesh ; but I shall see 
The swift-winored veno^eance overtake such children. 
Coi'n. See'st thou shalt never: slaves, perform yovr 
work ; [Servants tahe Gloster out, l 

Out with those treacherous eyes; dispatch, I say. 

Glos. [ Without, l.] He that will think to live 'till he bi! 
old- 
Give me some help. — Oh, ciTiel ! oh, ye gods ! 

Edw. (r. c.) Hold, hold, my lord, I bar your cruelty ; 
1 cannot love your safety, and give way 
To such inhuman practice. 
Corn. Ah, my villain ! 

Edw. I have been your sei-vant from my infancy ; 
But better service have I never done you, 
Than with this boldness. 

Corn. Take thy death, slave. 

[Stahs Edward, and puts up Jiis dagger. 
Edw. Nay, then, revenge, whilst yet my blood is warm ' 
[Draw r his swordy runs Cormvall through the hody, and 



48 KING LftAU. [Act "V 

is carried off' by Guards r. — Cornwall is supported 
hy Servants. 
Reg. Help here — are you not hurt, vciY lord ? 
Glos. [ Without, L.] Edmund, enkindle all the sparky 
of nature 
To quit this horrid act. 

Reg. Out, treacherous villain, 
Thou call'st on him that hates thee ; it was he 
That broached thy treason, showed us thy dispatches^ 
There — read, and save the Cambrian prince a labour. 

[ Throws the letters out to him, L. 
6;^/^^. [ Without, L.] Oh, my folly ! 
Then Edgar was abused ! kind gods, forgive me that f 
Reg. [ To Corn.] How is't, my lord ? 
Corn. Turn out that eyeless villain, let him smell 
His way to Camhray; 
Regan, I bleed apace ; give me your arm. 

\ Exeunt, Regan, l., Cornwall, supported by his Ser*^ 
vants, R. 

Scene II. — The Open Country, 
Enter Edgar, in disguise, r. 

Edg. The lowest and most abject thing of fortune 
Stands still in hope, and is secure from fear. 
The lamentable change is from the best. 
The worst returns to better. — Who comes here ? 

[Retires half way up the Stagt 
My father poorly led ! deprived of sight ! 
The precious stones torn from their bleeding rings ! 
World ! world ! world ! 

But that thy strange mutations make us hate thee, 
Life would not yield to age. 

Enter Gloster, led by an Old Man, l. 

Old. Oh, my good lord, 1 have been your tenant, 
And your father's tenant, these fourscore yeais. 

Glos. Away, get thee away; good friend, begone; 
Thy comforts can do me no good at all; 
Thee they may hurt. 

Old M. You cannot see your way. 

Glos. I have no way, and therefore want no eyei« 



•SC£N£ liJ 



KING LEAR. 49 



I Stumbled when I saw. — Oh, dear son Edgar ! 
The food of thy abused father's wrath, 
Might I but live to see thee in my touch, 
rd say I had eyes again. 

Edg. [Aside,] Alas ! he's sensible that I was wronged 
And, should I own myself, his tender heait 
Would break betwixt the extremes of grief and joy. 

Old M. How now I who's there ? 

Edg, [Advances r. of Glos.] A charity for poor Tom.— 
Play fair, and defy the foul fiend. 
[Aside.] Oh, gods !'and must I still pursue this trade, 
Trifling beneath such loads of misery 1 

Old M. (R. c.) 'Tis poor mad Tom. 

Glos, (r. c.) In the late storm I such a fellow saw, 
Which made me think a man a worm. 
Where is the lunatic ? 

Old M. Here, my lord. 

Glos, Get thee now away ; if, for my sake, 
Thou wilt o'ertake us hence a mile or two 
r th' way to Dover, do 't for ancient love, 
And bring some covering for this naked ^^jretch, 
Whom I'll intreat to lead me. 

Old M. Alack, my lord, he's mad. 

Glos, 'Tis the time's plague, when madmen lead the 
blind. 
Do as I bid thee. 

Old M, I'll bring him the best 'parel that I have, 
Come on't what will. [Exit, l. 

Glos, Sirrah ! naked fellow ! 

Edg, (r.) Poor Tom's a-cold. — [Aside,] I cannot fool it 
longer. 
And yet I must. — Bless thy sweet eyes, they bleed ; 
Believ't, poor Tom e'en weeps his blind to see 'em. 

Glos, Know'st thou the way to Dover? 

Edg, Both stile and gate, horse-way and foot-path. 
Poor Tom has been scared out of his good wits. 
Bless every true man's son from the foul fiend ! 

Glos. Here, take this purse ; that [ am wretched 
Makes thee the happier. Heav'n deal so still ! 
Thus let the griping usurer's hoard be scattered, 
So distribution shall undo excess, 

And each man have enough. Dost thou know Dover! 

E 



50 KING LEAR 



[Act IV 



Elg. Ay, master. 

Glos. There is a cliff, whose high and herding head 
Looks dreadfully down upon the roaring deep; 
Bring me but to the very brink of it, 
And ril repah' the poverty thou bear'st 
With something rich about me. — From that place 
I shall no leading need. 

Edg, Give me thy arm ; poor Tom shall guide thea 

Glos, Soft ! for I hear the tread of passengers. 

Enter Kent, in his own character, and Cordelia, l. 

Cor. (l.) Ah, me ! your fear's too true, it was the king 
[ spoke but even now with some that met him, 
As mad as the vexed sea, singing aloud ; 
Crowned with rank fumiter, and furrow weeds. 
With berries, burdocks, violets, daisies, poppies. 
And all the idle flowers that grow 
In our sustaining corn : conduct me to him. 
To prove my last endeavours to restore him, 
And heaven so prosper thee ! 

Kent, (c.) I will, good lady. 
Ha ! Gloster here ! — Turn, poor dark man, and hear 
A friend's condolement, who, at sight of thine. 
Forgets his own distress : thy old true Kent. 

Glos. How ! Kent ? From whence returned ? 

Kent. 1 have not, since my banishment, been absent, 
But in disguise followed the abandoned king. 
Twas me thou saw'st with him in the late storm. 

Glos. Let me embrace thee ; had I eyes, I now 
Should weep for joy ; but let this trickling blood 
SufHce instead of tears. 

Cor. (l. c.) Oh, misery ! [Sees Gloster. 

To whom shall I complain, or in what language ? 
Forgive, oh, wretched man, the piety 
That brought thee to this pass ; 'twas I that caused it ; 
I cast me ait thy feet, and beg of thee [Kneels 

To crush these weeping eyes to equal darkless, 
[f that will give thee any recompense. 

Edg. [Aside.] Was ever season so distressed as this ? 

Glos. I think, Cordelia's voice ; rise, pious princess, 
And take a dark man's blessing. 

[ Cordelia rises. — Kent and Gloster retire up and con^ 
ftr. 



8c li>E III.] 



KING LEAR 51 



Cor, Oh, my Edgar, 
My virtue's now grown guilty, works >k e bane 
Of those that do befriend me ; heaven forsakes me ; 
And when, you look that way, it is but just 
That you should hate me, too. 

Edg, Oh, waive this cutting speech, and spare to w >uud 
A heart that's on the rack. 

[Retire up, — Gloster and Kent come down, l. 

Glos, (l.) No longer cloud thee, Kent, in that disguise ; 
There's business for thee, and of noblest weight ; 
Our injured country is at length in arms, 
Urged by the king's inhuman wrongs and mine, 
And only want a chief to lead them on i — 
That task be thine. 

Edg, [Aside.] Brave Britons ! then there's life in't yet! 

[Comes doxcn, l. 

Kent. (u. c.) Then have we one cast for our fortune 
still. 
Come, princess, I'll bestow you with the king, 
Then on the spur to head these forces. 
Farewell, good Gloster : to our conduct trust. 

Glos, And be your cause as prosp'rous as 'tis just. 
[Exeunt Kent and Cordelia^ r., Edgar and Gloster^ L, 

Scene III. — Albany'* s Fulace. 
Enter Goneril, with a letter, and Oswald, l. 

Gon, (l. c.) It was great ignorance, Gloster's eyes be* 
ing out, 
To let him live ; where he arrives, he moves 
All hearts against us. Edmund, I think, is gone. 
In pity to his misery, to dispatch him. 

Osw, (l.) No, madam ; he's reti med on speedy sum» 
mons 
Back to your sister, 

Gon, Ah ! I like not that ! 
Such speed must have the wings of love. Where's Al- 
bany ? 
Osw, Madam, within; but never man so changed : 
I told him of the uproar of the peasants- 
He smiled at it ; when I informed him 
Of Gloster's treason — 



62 KING LEAR. [Ail IV 

Gon Trouble him no further; 
It is his coward spirit. Back to our si-ster : 
Hasten her musters on, and let her know 
Ihave given the distaff into my husband's hanJs; 
That done, with special care deliver these dispatches. 
In private, to young Gloster. 

Enter Captain op the Guard, r. 

Cap (r.) Oh, madam, most unseasonable news ! 
The Duke of Cornwall's dead of his late wound, 
^^hose loss your sister has in part supplied. 
Making brave Edmund general of her forces. 

Gon, [Aside.] One way, 1 like this well ; 
But, being a widow, and my Gloster with her, 
'T may blast the promised harvest of our love. 
A word more, sir : [ To Oswald,] add speed to your jour- 
ney ; 
And if you chance to meet with that blind traitor, 
Preferment falls on him that cuts him off. 

\Exeunt, Goneril and Captain, r., Oswald, l 

Scene IV. — Another Part of the Country, 
Enter Gloster, and Edgar as a Peasant, l. u. e. 

Glos, When shall we come to th' top of that same 
hill ? 

Edg, We climb it now ; mark, how we labour. 

Glos, Methinks, the ground is even. 

Edg, Horribly steep. Hark, do you hear the sea 1 

Glos, No, truly. 

Edg^ Why, then your other senses grow imperfect, 
By your eyes' anguish. 

Glos, So it may be, indeed. 
Methinks, thy voice is altered, and thou speak'st 
In better phrase and matter than thou didst. 

Edg, You are much deceived ; in nothing am I altered 
But my garments. 

Glos Methinks, you're better spoken. 

Edg, Come on, sir; [Crosses ton,] here's the place. 
How fearful 
And dizzy 'tis, to cast one's eyes so low ! 
The crows and choughs, that wing the midwiy air 



Scene IV KING LEAR 5S 

Shew scarce so big- as beetles ; ha f way cown 
Hangs one that gathers samphu'e — dreadful trade ! 
T e fishermen that walk upon the beach, 
Appear like mice ; and yon tall anch'ring bark 
Seems lessened to her cock ; her cock, a buoy 
Almost too small for sight; the murm'ring surge 
Cannot be heard so high. I'll look no more ; 
Lest my brain turn, and the disorder make me 
Tumble down headlong. 

Glos, Set me where you stand. 

Edg. [Puts him across to r.] You are now within ; hv«1 
of th* extreme verge : 
For all beneath the moon I would not now 
Leap forward. 

Glos, (r.) Let go my hand. 
Here is another purse, in it a jewel 
Well worth a poor man's taking. Get thee farther, 
Bid me farewell, and let me hear thee going. 

Edg. Fare you well, sir. [Retires a little, r.] That J dc 
trifle thus 
With his despair, is with design to cure it. [Aside, 

Glos. [Kneels.^ Thus, mighty gods, this world I do re 
nounce. 
And in your sight shake my afflictions off; 
If I could bear them longer, and not fall 
To quarrel v/ith your great opposeless wills, 
My snuff and feebler part of nature should 
Burn itself out. If Edgar live, oh, bless him ! 
Now, fellow, fare thee well. 

[Prepares to fall, when Edgar advances and catcher 
him, 

Edg, Hold ! — who comes here ? 

Enter King Lear, with a Coronet of Flowers on his head 
and Straw in his hand, l. u. e. 

Lear, No, no ; they cannot touch me for coining ; 
I am the king himself. 
Edg, Oh, piercing sight ! 
Lear, Nature's above art in that respect. Theie's youi 

!>ress-money. That fellow handles his bow like a crow- 
[eeper ;— draw me a clothier's yard. A mouse, a mouse I 
Peace, boa! There's ray gauntlet; I'll prove it od 9 



54 KING LEAR. [A-T n 

giant. Bring up the brown bills ; well flown, barb ; V th 
white ; i' th' white ; — Hewgh ! give the word. 

Edg. Sweet Marjoram. 

Lear. Pass. [Edgar crosses, l. 

Glos. I know that voice. 

Lear, Ha ! Goneril ! With a white beard ? They flat- 
tered me like a dog, and told me I had white hairs on my 
chin, before the black ones were there, (r.) To say ay 
and no to everything that I said. Ay, and no, too, was no 
good divinity. When the rain came once to wet me, and 
the winds to make me chatter, — when the thunder would 
aot peace at my bidding, there I found 'em, there I smelt 
them out. Go to, they are not men of their words; they 
told me I was everything ; 'tis a lie ; 
I am not ague-proof, (l.) 

Glos, That voice I well remember : is't not the king? 

Lear, Ay, every inch a king ! When I do stare, 
See how tho subject quakes ! 
I pardon that man's life. What was the cause ? 
Adultery ? 

Thou shalt not die. Die for adultery ? No ! 
The wren goes to't, and the small gilded fly 
Engenders in my sight, (r.) Let copulation thrive ; 
For Gloster's bastard son was kinder to his father, 
Than were my daughters, got i' th' lawful bed. 
To't, luxury, pell mell : for I lack soldiers. — 
There's money for thee. 

Glos, (r. c.) Let me kiss that hand. 

Lear. Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality. 

Glos, Speak, sir : do ypu know me ? 

Lear, I remember thine eyes well enough. Nay, d\ 
thy worst, blind Cupid, I'll not love. — Read me this chal- 
lenge : mark but the penning of it. 

Glos, Were -all the letters suns, I could not see, 

Lear, Read, read, read. 

Glos, What, with this case of eyes ? 

Lear, Oh, ho ! are you there with me ? No eyes in 
your head, nor no money in your purse ? Yet you se^i 
how this world goes. 

Glos, I see it feelingly. 

Lear, What, art mad] A man may see how this world 
goes, with no eyes Look with thy ears : see how yon 



!5tEN£lIl.j KING LEAR. 03 

lustice rails on yon simple thief. Hark iii ihine ear : 
shake 'em together, and the first that drops, be it tl zt f or 
justice, is a villain. — Thou } ast seen a farmer's dog hark 
at a beggar ] 

Glos. Ay, sir. 

Lear, (c.) And the man run from the cur ; there thou 
might'st behold the great image of authoiity ; a dog's 
obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody 
hand ! Why dost thou lash that strumpet ? Thou hotly 
lust'st to enjoy her in that kind for which thou whip'st 
her ; do, do ! the judge that sentenced her has been be- 
forehand with thee. 

Glos, How stiff is my vile sense that yields not yet I 

Lear, I tell thee, the usurer hangs the cozener. 
Through tattered clothes small vices do appear; 
Robes and fur gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, 
And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks : 
Arm it in rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it. — 
Why, there 'tis for thee, friend — make much of it ; 
It has the power to seal the accuser's lips. Get thee glass 
eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see the things 
thou dost not. Pull, pull — off my boots ; hard, harder ; so, 
so. 

Glos, Oh, matter and impertinency mixed ! 
Reason in madness ! 

Lear. If thou wilt weep my fortunes, take my eyes. 
I know thee well enough — thy name is Gloster. 
Thou must be patient ; we came crying hither ; 
Thou know'st, the first time that we taste the air. 
We wail and cry. I'll preach to thee : mark me. 

Edg, Break, lab' ring heart ! 

Lear, When we are born, we cry that we are come 
To this great stage of fools. 

Enter Physician and two Knights, r. u. e. 

Phys, (r.) Oh ! here he is ; lay hand upon him — sir, 
Vour dearest daughter sends — 

Lear, No rescue ? What, a prisoner ? I am even the 
natural fool of fortune. Use me well, you shall have ran- 
dom. — Let ma have surgeons. Oh ! I am cut to the brains 

Phys. You shall have anything. 

Lear. No seconds ? All myself? 



66 KING LEAR. 



[Act IV 



1 A^ill die bravely, like a bridegroom. What ! 

I will be jovial; come, come ; I am a king, 

My masters, know you that 1 [Crosses, r. 

Fhys, You are a royal one, and we obey you. 

Ztear, It were an excellent stratagem to shoe a troop of 
horse with felt ; I'll put it in proof. — No noise, no noise% 
Now will we steal upon these sons-in-law, and then — Kill 
kill, kill, kill ! \tlxeunt King Lear and Physician^ r. 

Edg, A sight most moving in the meanest wretch, 
Past speaking in a king. 

Glos. (r.) Now, good sir, what are you ? 

Edg. (c.) A most poor man, made tame to fortune's 
strokes. 
And prone to pity by experienced sorrows. 
Give me your hand. 

Glos, You gentle gods, take my breath from me, 
And let not my ill-genius tempt me more 
To die before you please. 

Enter Oswald, l. 

Osw, (l.) a proclaimed prize ! Oh, most happily met! 
That eyeless head of thine was first framed flesh 
To raise my fortunes. Thou old unhappy traitor, 
The sword is out that must destroy thee. 

[Draws his sword. 

Glos, Now let thy friendly hand put strength enough 
to't. [Edgar raises his staff". 

Osw. Wherefore, bold peasant, 
Darst thou support a published traitor ? Hence, 
Lest I destroy thee, too ; let go his arm. 

Edg, Chill not let go, zir, without further 'casion. 

Osw, (l. c.) Let go, slave ; or thou diest. 

Edg, (l. c.) Good gentleman, go your gait, and let poor 
volk pass ; and chu'd ha' bin zwaggered out of my life, 
it would not have been zo long as 'tis by a vortnight.— 
Nay, an' thou com'st near th' old man, I'st try whethei 
your costard or my hallow be th' harder. 

Osw. Out, dunghill ! 

Edg. Chill pick your teeth, sir : come, no matter fot 
your foines. [Knocks him down. 

Osw. Slave, thou hast slain me ! oh, untimely death ! 



Scene I.] 



KING LEAR. 57 



Edg, ] know thee well, a serviceaole viilam*; 
As duteous tc the vices of thy mistress, 
As lust could wish. 

Glos. (c.) What 1 Is he dead ? 

Edg. This is a letter-carrier, and may have 
Some papers of intelligence, that may stand 
Oar party in good stead to know. — What's here ? 

[ Takes a letter out of his pocket and reads it, 
" To Edmund; Earl of Gloster. 

[Reads,] — " Let our mutual loves be remembered : you 
have many opportunities to cut Albany off. If he return 
the conquerer, then I am still a piisoner, and his bed my 
jail ; from the loathed warmth of which deliver me, and 
supply the place for your labour. " Goneril." 

[J.5?'^e.] A plot upon the duke her husband's life, 
And the exchange my brother ! — 
In time and place convenient I'll produce 
This letter to the sight of th' injured duke, 
As best shall serve our purpose. [Music, L. 

Come, your hand ; 

Far off, methinks, I hear the beaten drum ; 
Come, sir, 1 will bestow you with a friend. [Exeunt, l. 

END OF ACT IV. 



ACT V. 

Scene I. — A Chamber, — King Lear asleep on a couch, b. 

Cordelia, r., seated. Physician, and two Knights stand' 

ing hy him. 

Cor, All blei:.<sed secrets ; 
All you unpublished virtues of the earth. 
Spring with my tears — be aidant and remedisrte, 
In the good man's distress — 
Oh, you kind heavens, 

Cure this gieat b^-each in his abusod nature ; 
Th' untuned and jarring senses, oh, wind up, 
Of this child changed father. 

Phys, (l.) We ha«ve employed the utmost pow'r of arl 
And this deep rest will perfect our desijrn. 



58 KING LEAR. ' Act ^ 

Cor, Oh, Regan ! Goneril ! Inhuman sisters ! 
Had he not been your father, these white hairs 
Had challenged, sure, some pity 1 Was this a face 
To be exposed against the jarring winds ? 
My enemy's dog, though he had bit me, should 
Have stood that night against my fire. 

Phys, Be by, good madam, when we do awake him; 
£ doubt not of his temperance. 

Cor, Oh, my dear father ! Restoration, hang 
Thy med'cine on my lips ; and let this kiss 
Repair those violent harms, that my two sisters 
Have in thy reverence made. He wakes; 
Speak to him. 

Phys, Madam, do you ; 'tis fittest. 

Cor, How does my royal lord ? How fares your ma- 
jesty ? 

Lear, You do me wrong to take me out o' th' grave. 
[Lear rises , and Cordelia supports him down to thi 
front of the Stage, 

Cor, (r.) Speak to me, sir, who am I ? 

Lear, (c.) You are a soul in bliss ; but I am bound 
Upon a wheel of fire, which my own tears 
Do scald like molten lead. 

Cor. Sir, do you know me ? 

Lear. You are a spirit, I know ; when did you die ] 

Cor. Still, still far wide. 

Phys. Madam, he's scarce awake ; he'll soon grow 
more composed. 

Lear. Where have I been ] Where am 1 ? Fair day 
light ? 
I am mightily abused : I should even die with pity 
To aee another thus. I will not swear 
These are my hands. 

Cor. Oh, look upon me, sir, 
And hold your hand in blessing o'er me. [Lear attempts 

to kneel,\ — Nay, 
You must not kneel. 

Lear. Pray, do not mock me ; 
I am a very foolish, fond old man, 
Fourscore and upward ; and, to deal plainly, 
I fear 1 am not in my perfect mind. 

Cof^ Nay, then, farewell to patience ! Witness for me 



Scene ..j KING LEAR. 59 

Ye mighty pow'rs, I ne'er complained till now ! 

Lear. Methinks, I should know you, and ki ow this 
man ; 
Yet I am doubtful ; for I'm mainly ignorant 
What place this isj and all the skill I have, 
Remembers not these garments : nor do I know 
Where I did sleep last night. — Pray, do not mock me ; 
For, as I am a man, I think that lady 
To be my child Cordelia. 

Cor. Oh, my dear, dear father! 

Lear. Be your tears wet ? Yes, faith ; pray, do r ot 
weep. 
I know I have given thee cause, and am so humbled 
With crosses since, that I could ask 
Forgiveness of thee, were it possible 
That thou couldst grant it ; 
If thou hast poison for me, I will drink it, 
Bless thee, and die. 

Cor, (c.) Oh, pity, sir, a bleeding heart, and cease 
This killing language. 

Lear, (l.) Tell me, friends, where am I ? 

Phys. (r.) In your own kingdom, sir. 

Lear. Do not abuse me. 

Fhys. Be comforted, good madam, for the violence 
Of his distemper's past ; we'll lead him in, 
NT or trouble him, till he is better settled. 
Will it please you, sir, walk into freer air ? 

Lear. You must bear with me, I am old and foolish ; 
Forget and forgive. 

[ The Physician leads off King Lear, followed by tw§ 
Knights, L. 

Cor. The gods restore you ! [A distant March, 

Hark, I hear afar 

The beaten 4i'"ni. Old Kent's a man of's word. 
Oh ! for an arm 

Like the fierce thunderer's, when the earth-born sons 
Stormed heaven, to fight this injured father's battle ! 
That I could shift my sex, and dye me deep 
In his opposer's blood ! But, as I may. 
With women's weapons, piety and pray'rs, 
ril aid his cause. — -You never erring gods, 
Fight on his side, and thunder on his foes 



60 KING LEVR. [Act ^ 

Such tempests, as his poor aged head sustamed ! 
Your image suffers when a monarch bleeds ; 
'Tis your own cause ; for that your succours bring; 
Revenge yourselves, and right an injured king. [Eord, P, 

Scene II. — The 'Camp of the British Forces^ near Dove^ 

Flourish, * 

Enter Edmund, Regan, Officers, Banners, and Soldiers, i> 

Edrn, (c.) Know of the Duke, if his last purpose hold 
Or, whether since he is advised by aught 
To change the course : He's full of alteration, 
And self reproving; bring his constant pleasure. 

[ To Officer, who exits, r. 

Reg, (l.) Now, sweet lord, 
S^ou know the goodness I intend upon you : 
Tell me, but truly, but then speak the truth, 
Do you not love my sister? 

Edm, In honoured love. 

Reg, I never shall endure her. [Flourish 

Edm, She and the duke her husband. 

Enter Albany, Goneril, and Soldiers, r. 

Alh, (r. c.) Our very loving sister, well be met. 
Sir, this I hear, the king is come to his daughter, 
With others, whom the rigours of our state 
Forced to cry out. 

Reg. Why is this reasoned ] 

Gon. (r.) Combine together 'gainst the enemy : 
For these domestic and particular broils 
Are not to question here. 

Alb, Let us then determine 
With the ancient of war, on our proceedings. 

Edm, I shall attend you presently at your tent, 

Reg, Sister, you'll go with us 1 

Gon, No. 

Reg, 'Tis most convenient; pray you, go with us. 

Gan, yAside.l I know the riddle :— I will go. 

As they are going out, l., enter Edgar, disguised, r. 

Edg, If e'er your grace had speech with man so poor, 
Hear me one word. 

* This Scene is uswally omitted in the Reprc«ematicii, 



Scene III.] KING LEAR. 61 

Alh, I'll overtake you. 

Exeunt all hut Albany and Edgar^ t*. 

Alh, (c.) Speak 

Ed,g, (r.) Before you fight the battle, ope this letter 
If you have victory, let the trumpet sound 
For him that brought it : wretched though I seem, 
I can produce a champion, that will prove 
What is avouched there : If you miscarry, 
Your business of the world hath so an end, 
And machination ceases. Fortune love you ! 

Alh, Stay till I have read the letter. 

Edg, I was forbid it. 
When time shall serve, let but the herald cry, 
And I'll appear again. [Exit, P 

Alh, Why, fare thee well; I will overlook thy paper- 

Re-enter Edmund, l., with a folded paper, 

Edm, The enemy's in view, draw up your powers. 

Here is the guess of their true strength and forces. 

By diligent discovery ; but your haste 

Is now urged on you. 

Alh, We will greet the time. \Exit, u 

Edm, To both these sisters have I sworn my love ; 

Each jealous of the other, as the stung 

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take? 

Both ? one ] or neither ] To take the widow. 

Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril ; 

And hardly shall I carry out my side, 

Her husband being alive. Now, then, we'll use 

His countenance for the battle ; which being done, 

Let her who would be rid of him, devise 

His speedy taking off. As for the mercy 

Which he intends to Lear and Cordelia — 

The battle done, and they within our power. 

Shall never see his pardon : for my state 

Stands on me to defend, not to debate. [Exit^ P. 

Scene III. — A Valley near the Field of Battle. 

Enter Edgar and Gloster, r. u. e. 

. Edg, Here, father, take the shadow of this tree 
Vor your good host ; pray that the right may thrive: 



62 KING LEAR. [A T V 

If eve^' I rettrn to you again, 

ril bring you comfo|t. [Exit, L, 

Glos. Grace go with you, sir. [An alarum without^ L. 
The fight grows hot ,• the whole war's now at work, 
And the gored battle bleeds in every vein, 
Whilst drums and trumpets drown loud slaughter's roar, 
Where's Gloster now, that used to head the onset, 
And scour the ranks where deadliest danger lay? 
Here, like a shepherd, in a lonely shade. 
Idle, unarmed, and list'ning to the fight. 
No more of shelter, thou blind worm, but forth 
To th' open field ; the war may come this way. 
And ciTish thee into rest. \Advances a little. 

Oh, dark despair ! When, Edgar, wilt thou come 
To pardon, and dismiss me to the grave ? 

\A retreat is sounded^ L« 
Hark ! a retreat the king, I fear, has lost. 

Re-enter Edgar, l. 

Edg, Away, old man ; give me your hand ; away ! 

[Crosses, r. 
King Lear has lost; he and his daughter ta'en : 
Give me thy hand. Come on ! 

Glos. No farther, sir ; a man may rot even here. 

Edg, What! in ill thoughts again ! Men must endur« 
Their going hence, ev'n as their coming hither. 
Ripeness is all. — Come on ! 

Glos, And that's true, too. [Exeunt, R. 

Scene IV. — The British Camp near Dover, 

Enter, in conquest, with Bunners, S^c, Edmund, l. — Lear 
and Cordelia as prisoners, an Officer and four Sol- 
diers preceding them, and the same numher following, 
L. s. E. — Flourish. 

Edm. (r.) Some officers take them away : good guard ; 
Until their greater pleasures first be known 
Tiiat are to censure them. 

Cor. (r. c.) [Coming for IV ard a little?^ We are not tbe 
first, 
Who, with best meaning, have incuired the worst 
For thee, opnressed king, am I cast dowr ; 



SCEME IV.] 



KING LEAR. 63 



Myself could else out-frown false fortune's frown. 
Shall we not see these daughters, and these sisteis ? 

Lear, (c.) No, no, no, no! — Come, let's away to pri- 
son : 
We two alone will sing like birds i' th' cage 
When thou iost ask my blessing, I'll kneel down, 
And ask of thee forgiveness : so we'll live, 
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh 
At gilded buttei'flies, and hear poor rogues 
Talk of court news ; and we'll talk with them, too— 
Who loses, and who wins ; who's in, who's out ; 
[n a walled prison, packs and sects of great ones, 
That ebb and flow by the moon. 

Ed.m, [Crossing, l.] Take them away ! 

[Lear and Cordelia go forward, R 

Lear, (r. c.) Upon such sacrifices, my Cordelia, 
The gods themselves throw incense. Have I caught thee 
He that parts us, shall bring a brand from heaven, 
l\.nd fii'e us hence, like foxes. 

[ Officer on the r. advances a little, and motions them 
to follow. 
Wipe thine eyes ; 

The goujeres shall devour them, flesh and fell, 
Ere they shall make us weep ; we'll see them starve f^rst ! 
oorae. [Exeunt Lear and Cordelia, preceded by Officer, 
ind followed by four Soldiers, r. 

Edm. (l.) Come hither, captain ; hark — 

[Officer comes down, r. 
Take thou this note; [Giving a paper,] go, follow thera 

to prisgn : 
One step I have advanced thee ; if thou dost 
As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way 
To noble fortunes. Know thou this — ^^that men 
Are as the time is : to be tender-minded 
Does not become a sword ; that great employment 
Will not bear question : either say, thou'lt do't, 
Or thrive by other means. 

q^. I'll do't, my lord. 

Edm. About it; and write happy when thou hast don& 
Mark — I say instantly ; and carry it so, 
As I have set it down. 

O^, i will do i'. [Exit.R. 



64 KING LEAR. [Aa^T V 

Flourish, — Enter Albany, Goneb/l, Re^an, Offiicn and 

Guards J li. 

lb. (c.) Sir, you have shown to-day your valiant strain, 
And fortune led you well : you have the captives 
Who were the opposites of this day's strife : 
We do require them of you ; so to use them, 
As we shall find their merits and our safety 
May equally determine. 

Edm. (r.) Sir, I thought it fit 
To send the old and miserable king 
To some retention, and appointed guard ; 
Whose age has charms in it, whose title more, 
To pluck the common bosom on his side, 
And turn our impressed lancers in our eyes, 
Which do command them. With him I sent the queen 
My reason all the same; and they are ready 
To-morrow, or at fuither space, to appear 
Where you shall hold your session. 

Alb, Sir, by your patience, 
I hold you but a subject of this war, 
Not as a brother. 

Reg, (l.) TJiat's as we list to grace him. 
Methinks, our pleasure might have been demanded. 
Ere you had spoke so far. He led our powers ; 
Bore the commission of my place and person : 
The which immediacy may well stand up. 
And call itself your brother., 

Gon, (l. c.) Not so hot : 
In his own grace he doth exalt himself. 
More than in your advancement. 

Reg, In my rights, 
By me invested, he compeers the best. General, 

[Crosses to Edynund^ 
Dispose of them, of me ; the walls are thine : 
Witness the world, that I create thee here 
My lord and master ! 

Alb, The let-alone lies not in your good wilL 

Edm, Nor in thine, lord. 

Alb, Half-blooded fellow, yos ! 

Rpg. (r. c.) [To Edmund] Let the drum strike, ao > 
prove my title thine. 



Scene IV.] KING LEAR. 65 

Alb. Stay yet ; h^ar reason : Eomund, I arrest thee 
On capital treason ; and in thy arrest, 
This gilded serpent : [Pointing to Goneril.] for your claim 

fair sister, 
[ bar it in the interest of my wife : / 
'Tis she is sub-contracted to this lord. 
And I, her husband, contradict y^->ur bans. 
Thou art armed, Gloster: let the trumpet sound : 
If none appear to prove upon thy person. 
Thy heinous, manifest, and many treasons. 
There is my pledge : [ Throwing down a Gauntlet, j I'l) 

prove it on thy heart. 
Ere I taste bread, thou art in nothing less 
Than I have here proclaimed thee. 

Reg. Sick, oh, sick ! 

Gon. If not, I'll ne'er trust poison. [ Exit, l. 

Edm. There's my exchange : [ Throwing down Gaunt- 
let.] what in the world he is 
That names me traitor, villain-like he lies. 
Call by thy trumpet : he that dares approach, 
On him, on you, (who not ?) I will maintain 
My truth and honour firmly. 

Alb. A herald, ho ! 

Edm. A herald, ho, a herald ! 

Alb. Trust to thy single virtue ; for thy soldiers, 
All levied in my name, have in my name 
Took their discharge. 

Reg. This sickness grows upon me ! 

Enter Herald, r. 

Alb. She is not well ; convey her to my tent. 

[Regan is led off^ l, 
Some hither, Herald — Let the trumpet sound, 
And read out this. [Gives paper.] Sound, ti-umpel. 

[ Trumpet sounds, r. 
Her. (r.) [Reads.] " If any man of quality, or degree, 
within the lists of the army, will maintain upon Edmund, 
iupposed Earl of Gloster, that he is a manifold traitor, lei 
him appear at the third scund of the trumpet. He is bold 
in Ms defence^ 

Edm. Sound! [1*^ Trumpet-> 

Her. Again ? [2^ Trumpet.] Again ! [3d Truvipet. 

^A Trumpet answers on l. three times 



66 KING LEAR. 



Act # 



Enter ^DQAR, l., at the end of the second sound. 

Alb, (c.) Ask him his purposes, why he appears 
Upon this call o' the trumpet. 

Her. What are you 1 
Yonv name, your quality ? and why you answer 
This present summons ? 

Edg. (l.) Know, my name is lost ; 
By treason's tooth bare-gnawn, and canker-rbit : 
Yet am I noble as the adversary 
I come to cope withal. [Herald retires up. 

Alb, \A little up Stage, in c] Which is that adversary I 

Edg, What's he that speaks for Edmund, Earl of Glos- 
ter? 

Edm, Himself 1 what say 'st thou to him ? 

Edg. Draw thy sword ; 
That, if my speech offend a noble heart, 
Thy arm may do thee justice : — ^here is mine 
Behold, it is the privilege of mine honours, 
My oath, and my profession. I protest — 
Maugre thy strength, youth, place, and eminence. 
Despite thy victor sword, and fire-new fortune, 
Thy valour, and thy heart — thou art a traitor ! 
False to thy gods, thy brother, and thy father : 
Conspirant 'gainst this high illustrious prince ; 
And from the extremest upward of the head, 
To the descent and dust beneath thy feet, 
A most toad-spotted traitor. Say thou no, 
This sword, this arm, and my best spirits, are bent 
To prove upon thy heart, whereto I speak, 
Thou liest. 

Edm, In wisdom, I should ask tliy name ; 
But since thy outside looks so fair and warlike. 
And that thy tongue some say of breeding breathes 
What safe and nicely I might well delay 
By rule of knighthood, I disdain and spurn : 
Back do I toss these treasons to thy head ; 
With the hell-hated lie overwhelm thy heart; 
Which (for they yet glance by, and scarcely bruise,) 
This sword of mine shall give them instant way, 
AT'bere they shall rest forever. Trumpets, speak ! 

[Alarums, — They fight. — Edmund falls. 



Scene V.] 



KING LEAR 67 



What you have charged me with, that ha 3 I clone; 
And more, much more : the time will bring it out ; 
*Tis past, and so am I. — But what art thou, 
That hast this fortune on me 1 If thou art nohlo 
I do forgive thee. 

Edg, Let's exchange charity, 
1 am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund : 
If more, the more thou hast wronged me. 
My name is Edgar, and thy father's son. 
The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices 
Make instruments to scourge us : 
The dark and vicious place where thee he got, 
Cost him his eyes. 

Alb, Where have you hid yourself? 
How have you know^n the miseries of your fathe I 

Edg, By nursing them, my lord. 
The bloody proclamation to escape. 
That followed me so near, taught me to shift 
Into a madman's rags ; became his guide. 
Led him, begged for him, saved him from despair; 
Never (oh, fault!) revealed myself unto him, 
Until some half hour past, when I was armed. 
Not sure, though hoping of this good success, 
I asked his blessing, and from first to last 
Told him my pilgrimage : but his flawed heart, 
(Alack, too weak the conflict to support !) 
'Twixt two extremes of passion, joy and gric^". 
Burst smilingly. 

JSdm. [Raised hy Officers,^ I pant for life : — some gc ou 
I mean to do. 
Despite of my own nature. Quickly send — 
Be brief in it — to the castle ; for my writ 
[s on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia. 

Edg. Who has the ofiice? Send thy token of reprieve. 

Edm, Take my sword — give it the captain. 

Alb. Haste thee, for thy life ! [Exit Edgar, r. 

The gods defend her ! — Bear him hence awhile. 

[ Flourish. — Edmund is led off, l. — Albany and others 
exeunt, r. 

Scene V. — A Prison. 
Enter Lear, through openiyig in r. p with Cordelia. 



68 KING LEAR. 



[Act V 



dead^ iji, his arms. — Officep enters^ l. u. E , as im guard 
— he remains at hack, l. 

Lear. [Advancing^ c] Howl, howl, howl, howl ! Oh, 
ye are men of stones ! 

Had I your tongues and eyes, I'd use then so 

That heaven's vault should crack. — Oh, she is gone for- 
ever! [hear kneels on right knee, and places Cor» 
delia across his left, her feet towards r. 

I know when one is dead, and when one lives; 

She's dead as earth : — Lend me a looking-glass ; 

[f that her breath will mist or stain the stone, 

Why, then she lives. 

tlnter Edgar, Albany, Kent, Officer, and Soldiers^ r. 
Officer marches the Soldiers up r., and hack. 

Kent. Is this the promised end ? 

Edg. Or image of that horror? [Crosses behind Leaf. 

Alh. Fall, and cease ! 

Lear. This feather stirs ; she lives ! — If it be so, 
It is a chance that does redeem all sorrows 
That ever I have felt. 

Kent. (r. c.) [Kneeling.] Oh, my good master ! 

Lear. Pr'ythee, away ! 

Edg. (l. c.) 'Tis noble Kent, your friend. 

Lear. A plague upon you, murderers, traitors, all ! 
I might have saved her ; now she's gone forever ! 
Cordelia, Cordelia, stay a little ! — Ha ! 
What'is't thou say'st? Her voice was ever soft> 
Gentle, and low ; but I did kill the slave 
That was a- hanging thee ! 

Offi. (l.) [Advancing a little.] 'Tis true, my lords, h© 
did. 

Lear. Did I not, fellow 1 
I have seen the day, with my good biting faulchion, 
I would have made them skip : I am old now. 
And these same crosses spoil me. Who are you ? 
My eyes are none o' the best : — I'll tell you straight. 

Kent. (r. c.) If fortune brag of two she loved and 
hated, 
One of them we behold. 

L^ar. This '*s a dull sight. — Are you not Kent 1 



ScxiteV.i king leak 69 

Kent, The same ; 
Your sei-vant Kent. — Where is your servant Caius 1 

Lear, He's a good fellow ; I can tell you that ; 
He'll strike, and quickly, too : — He's dead and rotten. 
Kent, No, my good lord ; I am the very man. 
Lear, I'll see that straight. 

Kent, That, ft'om your first of difference and decay, 
Have follow^ed your sad steps. 
Lear, You are w^elcome hither. 

Kent, Nor no man else; all's cheerless, dark, an$i 
deadly. 
Your eldest daughters have foredoomed themselves. 
And desperately are dead. 
Lear, Ay, so 1 think. 

Kent, He knows not what he says ; and vain it is 
That we present us to him. Oh, see ! see ! 

Lear. And my poor fool is hanged ! No, no, no life : 
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat, have life, 
And thou no breath at all 1 [Laying Cordelia on the 
ground y and kneeling on hoth knees.] Oh, thou wilt 
come no more ! 
Never, never, never, never ! 
Pray you, undo this button. [Placing his hand on his 

throaty as if choking,] Thank you, sir. 
Do you see this ? Look on her— look — ^her lips — 

[Kisses her. 
Look there — look there ! 

\ Gives a convulsive gasp , and falls hack. He is sup 
ported on the r. hy Kent, and on the l., hy Edgar 
— Curtain falls to slow music. 

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